Our best healthy bean and lentil recipes

Source: Web exclusive: April 2009

Cod with Spicy Puy Lentils
Dark-green Puy lentils, grown in the south of France, have a unique, peppery flavor that is enhanced by chile. They do not disintegrate during cooking and their texture is a perfect complement for the flakiness of fresh cod. Serve this cod with spicy Puy lentils dish with warm crusty bread.

Chicken, Kale and Edamame White Tea Noodle Soup
Superfoods kale, edamame and white tea make classic chicken soup extra nutritious.

Indian Lamb with Spiced Lentils
Freshly ground spices make this Indian lamb curry fabulously fragrant, while spiced lentils give texture and substance, as well as extra good health. Serve with plain yogurt and saffron rice.

Rotelle with Black Beans and Tomatoes
With fibre- and protein-rich black beans and a variety of vegetables, this quick rotelle pasta dish makes an easy weeknight meal. To make it extra healthy, use whole-wheat pasta and cut back on the cheese.

Boston Baked Beans
These oven-baked beans are cooked slowly to create a richly flavoured vegetable dish’a revelation if you’ve only ever eaten the canned variety. Serve Boston baked beans alongside grilled meat, together with potatoes or bread.

Lima Beans and Bacon on Toast
Here’s a new version of beans on toast, combining creamy lima beans with crisp bacon, cottage cheese and mustard. Accompanied by a fresh salad, this makes a fabulous meal that is ready to serve in about 15 minutes.

Tuscan White Bean Soup
This soup is hard to stop eating after the first bowl’the earthy flavours inevitably leave me wanting more. Pair it with your favourite sandwich for a complete meal.

Chicken Provencale with Green Bean and Bacon Salad
The chicken is basted in the same dressing used for the green bean and bacon salad, providing both well-matched flavour and less work in the kitchen.

Tuscan Bean Crostini
Here’s an appetizing snack to be enjoyed hot or cold’toasted slices of baguette topped with a creamy white-bean puree flavored with garlic and thyme, and finished with tomato slices and arugula leaves. These Tuscan bean crostini are ideal to serve with pre-dinner drinks.

Hot and Spicy Black Bean Dip
Update your party menu with a chili-laced black bean dip that’s practically fat-free and an excellent source of fibre. The dip can also be spooned onto plates and served as a light lunch, accompanied by warm whole-wheat pita bread.

Tuscan Mixed Bean Soup
Tuscan cuisine focuses on fresh, healthy ingredients and uncomplicated cooking techniques to make traditionally delicious fare. These are dishes’like this colourful mixed bean soup’that you can easily duplicate in your own kitchen.

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