Where Are The Beans?

Sometimes I have to be quite sneaky in order to make sure our kids are eating a well rounded selection of foods.

I know some people who have to sneak in ways to get their husbands to eat good foods!

I've snuck in spinach & greens into spaghetti sauce and ground up nuts and seeds into bakery, etc.

I came across a great article by First magazine called "10 brilliant ways to use white beans."

White beans have a mild flavor and one of nature's best sources of slow-digesting soluble fiber and plant protein. They actually have the ability to block the body from turning carbs into sugar thus boosting weight loss!

They also give us tons of energy!

Some of these I have tried, others I will try very soon.

1. Lean & Juicy Burgers: Mix 1 cup of pureed beans into 1# of lean ground beef and shape into patties. Grill 10 min., turning once.

2. Mexican Pizza: Spread 2 cups of mashed beans on dough. top with queso blanco, cheddar, chorizo, olives, onions and jalapenos. Grill until cheese melts.

3. Sicilian-Style Pasta: Cook crumbled italian sausage 4 min. Stir in 1 cup of beans, a handful of spinach and a spoonful of capers. Toss with hot cooked pasta.

4. Mediterranean Dip: Puree 2 cups of beans, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and the juice of half a lemon. Serve with pita chips and crudites.

5. Tuscan Bean Toss: Combine 2 cups of beans with olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt. Serve with rustic bread.

6. Hearty Tuna Salad: Combine 1/2 cup of beans, canned tuna, diced tomatoes, minced red onions and chopped parsley. Serve on whole-wheat bread.

7. Rich Brownie Bites: Pruee 2 cups of beans and combine with 1 box of your favorited brownie mix. Bake according to package directions.

8. Chocolate-chip Cookies: Replace half the butter in your favorite chocolate-chip cookie recipe with the same amount of pureed beans. Bake as usual.

9. Bean Gratin: Heat oven to 400* F. Combine 2 cups of beans, garlic and 3/4 cup of broth in baking dish. Top with bread crumbs; dot with butter. Bake until bubbly.

10. Southern Succotash: Saute chopped onions, garlic and bell peppers in butter until soft. Stir in corn and 1 cup of beans; cook 3 min. Season with black pepper.