Food:
Beans & Greens– serves 6-8
2 c. dry beans (I used Adzuki beans I get at the farmers market, Borski Farms)
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeds remove and diced (farmers market)
1/2 c. parsley, chopped (my garden)
1/4- 1/2 c. cilantro, chopped (farmers market)
1 purple onion, chopped (farmers market)
3 lemons, zest and juice
a couple of garlic cloves, chopped (farmers market, Borski Farms)
lots of greens, kale and swiss chard, chopped (farmers market, Borski Farms)
olive oil
Celtic salt and pepper
Directions:
For the beans:
1. Place the dry beans in a large bowl and cover with water, soak overnight. Drain, rinse and place beans in a larger pot. Cover with water again, maybe one inch above the beans. Turn stove to high, when the beans come to a boil let them boil for five minutes skimming off the foam. Add a piece of kombu (Kombu is a sea vegetable that adds minerals and helps tenderize the beans and reduces their gas effect!), place the lid on the pot and turn the temperature to medium-low and simmer until done. Check at 45 minutes, and then every 10 minutes till they are tender but not mushy.
2. When done, drain and set aside until ready to use.
For the greens:
1. In a large bowl, add the lemon juice and lemon zest and six turns of olive oil. Next add the cucumber, onion, and herbs. Toss. Add greens, toss again. Then add the beans, toss one more time and adjust seasoning. EAT!
A few ways to EAT:
1. Spoon some into your favorite wrap with some good quality cheese, tomatoes and avocado.
2. Pair with your favorite rice, preferably wild or brown rice and season with tamari (soy sauce), sesame oil and a squeeze of lime.
3. Top with a poached egg, drizzle with olive oil and your favorite seasoning.
Love:
There is a saying in Italian that goes “Quanta Basta!”, “a little of this, a little of that!”. Beans & Greens is just that, you can make this dish to suit your taste buds, it is just a blue print, a road map to other meals. I packaged mine all up in lunch containers, topped it with tomatoes, avocado and extra drizzle of olive oil and a slice of lemon. It would also be great left in a big bowl in the fridge and then eaten each night for dinner the ways I have listed above. It is hearty but light and is perfect in this hot weather, whip up a batch and add “Quanta Basta”. Happy Summer y’all.