Recently I’ve been learning a lot about dried beans. I know it’s probably not the most interesting subject to most people but I have discovered a few facts that amazed me. I’ve not only learnt about the health benefits of dried beans but I have also been learning how to cook them as well. Now you might be thinking well just wack them in the pan with water and boil them.
Yes there is that method but I have just recently learned how to cook beans quickly. When cooking beans in the past I found it would take a really long time. Occasionally I would have to keep adding water to the pan. Now I have found a new method I really wanted to share it with you. All you need to soften the dried beans quickly is baking powder. All you have to do is add a teaspoon or two to the water while you cook them and this should help them to soften quickly.
Baking powder helps to tenderizer food and it acts as a ph and alkaline balancer. It helps to remove to magnesium and calcium in hard water. the baking powder also helps to break up the pectin and this speeds up the softening of the bean. For me this was exciting news and I tried this hack right away. It worked a treat and these white bean meatballs were even tastier.
Serves 4
Equipment
- Saucepan x 2
- Food processor
- Tablespoon
- Teaspoon
- Baking tray x 2
- Blender
- Colander
Ingredients
- Dried cannellini beans x 300g or 2 400g tins
- Baking powder x 2 tsp
- Tahini x 2 tbsps
- Nutritional yeast or parmesan cheese grated x 4 – 6 tbsps
- Garlic granules x 2 tsps
- Dried mixed herbs x 2 tbsps
- On the vine tomatoes x 500g large
- Red Peppers x 2 large
- Garlic granules x 1 tsp
- Smoked paprika x 1 tsp
- Sumac x 1 tsp
- Ground sweet cinnamon x 1 tsp
- Oregano x 1 tsp
- Vegetable or chicken stock x 200mls
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- If using dried beans cook as per the packet instructions.
- When soaking the dried beans add a teaspoon of baking powder to the beans and add one teaspoon to the water when cooking the beans.
- Once cooked set them aside and leave them to cool down completely.
- If using dried beans drain and rinse thoroughly under the tap.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C or gas mark 4.
- Put the cooked white beans into the food processor and add in the tahini, nutritional yeast or parmesan cheese, garlic granules and dried mixed herbs.
- Blend all of these ingredients together until a smooth.
- Set the bean mixture aside.
- Put the red pepper and tomatoes into the baking tray.
- Put the tray into the oven for about 30 – 40 minutes.
- Meanwhile remove the bean mixture from the food processor and make into balls.
- Divide the mix into four parts and then divide those parts into four again.
- Put on a plate and pop into the fridge.
- Once the peppers and tomatoes ae cooked remove from the oven and leave to cool.
- Take the white bean balls from the fridge and put them into the other baking tray.
- Add a little oil to the balls and the tray and put it into the oven for 25 – 30 minutes.
- When the peppers and tomatoes are cool enough you can put them into a big bowl cold water and remove the skin. (This part is optional).
- Make sure you remove the seeds from the peppers and the stalks from the peppers and tomatoes
- Then add the peppers, tomatoes, chicken or vegetable stock and salt and pepper to taste and blend all the ingredients together.
- Cook the pasta as per the packet instructions and drain it.
- Put the pasta sauce in the pan used for cooking the pasta and heat through.
- Then add the pasta to the sauce and stir these ingredients together.
- Turn the heat off and set the pasta and sauce aside.
- When the bean meatballs are cooked remove from the oven.
- Serve the pasta into bowls and put the meatballs on top.
- Grate cheese or parmesan on top or add extra nutritional yeast.
- Finally serve with a salad and enjoy.
White Bean Meatballs with Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Pasta Sauce was so yummy. When I made this dish my husband Howard enjoyed the sauce but not the meatballs. My son Ted enjoyed the meatballs but not the sauce. I guess, what I’m trying to say is there is something in this dish for everyone. Personally I loved it all and I ate this the next day as leftovers. The sauce and meatballs could be made and frozen for another occasion too. However you decide to eat this dish, as always, please enjoy. xxx
Googies Kitchen Life 