A Hill of Beans

Photo Credit

Blessed with the luxury of my own office, I have the freedom to jazz up my sometimes boring work day with some spicy Pandora or NPR fun. You can imagine my excitement when, yesterday, I heard that Tom Ashbrook would be spending an entire hour talk about beans on On Point. Seriously. I was pumped.

I totally heart beans. I love their many colors and flavors. The fact that they are a comparitively planet friendly source of protein. The nutritional punch that they pack at such a low cost. My husband? Not a fan. He does love hummus, and he will happily eat a sprinkling of cheese-smothered pinto beans hiding out in a quesadilla, but beyond that he begrudgingly chokes down any legume-based dish. For years (seriously) I just stopped cooking with beans. It was too much effort for such a depressing response. Lately, as I think more and more about nutrition for my growing 15 month old, I've been reacquainting myself with the bulk goods aisle at the local market, experimenting with lentils and soups, the message to said husband being: I think you can tough it out. He has, on occasion, remarked that a bowl of lentils was actually enjoyable. Progress! Encouraged, I've been wishing for a source of been information/inspiration, in hopes of drumming up more yummy recipes that can become regular EcoFoodie family fare.

Enter Crescent Dragonwagon, whose new cookbook looks as amazing as her name: Bean by Bean: A Cookbook: More than 200 Recipes for Fresh Beans, Dried Beans, Cool Beans, Hot Beans, Savory Beans...Even Sweet Beans! Seriously, Crescent? How did you read my mind? I just ordered a copy for a mere $9.95 and am already planning a pantry shelf stocked with a beautiful bean display. (Bonus: weekend trip the Container Store for some lovely glass jars!)

Bean-hating husband, watch out. I am going to convert you yet. And EcoFoodie readers, be on the look out for some new recipes and pictures of the beautiful bean station. What are your favorite bean recipes? Tips for working with dried beans?

Click here to listen to the On Point program with Dragonwagon. Happy Weekend!

Reading for a Snowy Weekend

The weather people are all abuzz with talk of snow in Boston tomorrow, uncertain as to whether we'll get a little or a lot. Regardless of the inches, or of the weather wherever you are, the most recent issue of Kinfolk magazine makes for perfect weekend reading. It is new. It is gorgeous. It speaks to the countless joys and riches to be found in small, simple gatherings. And, as you might imagine, that most often centers around food. Both the photography and the writing are luxurious. Even my rather non-literary husband remarked on the loveliness of the images. As stated by the editors in their manifesto, "Every element of Kinfolk--the features, photography, and general aesthetics--are consistent with the way that we feel entertaining should be: simple, uncomplicated, and less contrived." Amen to that.

If you can't find a copy in your local bookstore, it's worth ordering one on line, which is what I did. Pair with a hot cup of coffee and a still warm bakery goody. Happy weekend!