Couscous with Winter Vegetables and Beans

-NYTimes 25 FEb 2009

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 leeks, white and light green parts only, cut in thick slices and cleaned

4 large garlic cloves, minced

Salt, preferably kosher salt, to taste

2 teaspoons cumin seeds, lightly toasted and ground

1 teaspoon coriander seeds, lightly toasted and ground

1 teaspoon caraway seeds, lightly toasted and ground

1/2 teaspoon cayenne (more to taste)

2 cups white beans, soaked in 2 quarts water for 6 hours or overnight

A bouquet garni consisting of 8 sprigs each parsley and cilantro

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 to 2 tablespoons harissa (more to taste), plus additional for serving

1 1/2 pounds winter squash, peeled, seeded and cut in large dice (about 4 cups diced)

1 pound turnips, cut in wedges or carrots, cut in thick slices (or 1/2 pound each)

1 pound greens, stemmed and washed thoroughly, blanched in salted boiling water and coarsely chopped

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, or a combination

2 2/3 cups couscous, preferably whole wheat couscous

1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, and add the onion and leeks. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes, then stir in the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the spices. Stir together for about one minute. Add the beans and soaking water, an additional one quart water and the bouquet garni. Bring to a gentle boil, add salt to taste, reduce the heat, cover and simmer one hour. Add the harissa, tomato paste, squash, turnips and/or carrots. Bring back to a simmer for 45 minutes, or until the squash is beginning to fall apart and the beans are tender. Stir in the blanched greens, chopped parsley and/or cilantro. Simmer another 10 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. The stew should be spicy and flavorful.

2. Reconstitute and steam the couscous. Serve the couscous in wide bowls, or mound onto plates. Top with the stew and a generous amount of broth. Pass more harissa at the table.

Yield: Serves eight generously

Tuna and Bean Salad

-NYT 11 Aug 2008

1 small red onion, peeled and very thinly sliced

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar

1 (6 1/2-ounce) can water-packed tuna, drained

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans or borlotti beans, drained through a strainer and rinsed

3 fresh sage leaves, slivered

2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 small or medium garlic clove, finely minced

1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon plain low-fat or nonfat yogurt (or omit and use 4 tablespoons olive oil)

1/2 Japanese cucumber, cut in half lengthwise and sliced, for garnish

1. Place the onion in a bowl and add 1 teaspoon of the vinegar and cold water to cover. Let sit for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water, then dry on paper towels.

2. In a medium bowl or salad bowl, combine the tuna, beans, onions, sage, and parsley.

3. In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix together the remaining vinegar, salt to taste, freshly ground pepper, garlic, and Dijon mustard. Whisk in the olive oil and the yogurt. Toss with the tuna and beans and serve, garnishing each plate with cucumber slices.

Yield: Serves two as a main dish, four as a starter

ding dong eight-alarm chili

-Gourmet, 2002

Makes 8 servings.
ingredients
2 oz dried ancho chiles (4 large), stemmed and seeded
6 large garlic cloves, 3 of them finely chopped
1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder (not pure chile)
4 lb well-marbled beef brisket or boneless chuck, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2- to 2-inch pieces
3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (28- to 32-oz) can whole tomatoes in juice
1/4 cup canned chipotle chiles in adobo
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 lb white onions, chopped (4 cups)
1 tablespoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican), crumbled
1 to 4 fresh serrano or other small green chiles, finely chopped, including seeds (1 is fine for most tastes; 4 is the eight-alarm version)
1 (12-oz) bottle beer (not dark)
2 cups water
2 1/2 cups cooked pinto beans (optional; 30 oz), rinsed if canned

Soak ancho chiles in hot water to cover until softened, about 30 minutes. Drain well.

While chiles soak, mince 1 whole garlic clove and mash to a paste with 1/2 tablespoon salt, 1/2 tablespoon cumin, and 1/2 tablespoon chili powder. Pat beef dry and toss with spice mixture in a large bowl until coated.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a wide 6- to 7-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown beef in 3 or 4 batches, without crowding, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes per batch (lower heat as needed; spice mixture burns easily). Transfer beef as browned to another bowl. (Do not clean pot.)

Purée anchos in a blender along with tomatoes (including juice), chipotles in adobo, cilantro, remaining 2 whole garlic cloves, and remaining 1/2 tablespoon salt until smooth.

Add enough oil to fat in pot to total 3 tablespoons, then cook onions and chopped garlic over moderate heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits from beef, until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add oregano, remaining tablespoon cumin, and remaining tablespoon chili powder and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add chile purée and 1 chopped serrano and simmer, stirring, 5 minutes. Stir in beer, water, and beef along with any juices accumulated in bowl and gently simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally and checking often to make sure chili is not scorching, 2 hours.

Taste sauce, then add more serrano if desired and continue to simmer, partially covered, until beef is very tender and sauce is slightly thickened, 1 to 2 hours more. (If chili becomes very thick before meat is tender, thin with water as needed.)

Coarsely shred meat (still in pot) with 2 forks and cool chili completely, uncovered, then chill, covered, 1 to 2 days to allow flavors to develop.

Reheat over low heat, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 30 minutes. Add beans (if using) and simmer, stirring, 5 minutes.
Accompaniments: cubed avocado; chopped white onion; shredded Cheddar; chopped fresh cilantro; sour cream

Black Bean Soup

-adapted from Fannie Farmer, 13th edition

note: Crock Pot! and add carrots

2 cups dried black beans
water
1 onion, sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 ham bone
1.5 c cooked ham chunks
1.5 t dry mustard
2 T lemon juice
salt to taste

Soak and drain the beans. Add enough water to make 2 quarts and cook with onion, celery, ham bone for 3-4 hours or until beans are soft. Remove ham bone and puree or beat by hand. Add cooked ham. Season with remaining ingredients.

Sweet Potatoes with Warm Black Bean Salad

-eatingwell.com

INGREDIENTS
4 medium sweet potatoes
1 15-ounce can black beans
2 medium tomatoes
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
DIRECTIONS

Prick sweet potatoes with a fork in several places. Microwave on High until tender all the way to the center, 12 to 15 minutes. (Alternatively, place in a baking dish and bake at 425 degrees F until tender all the way to the center, about 1 hour.)
Meanwhile, in a medium microwaveable bowl, combine beans, tomatoes, oil, cumin, coriander and salt; microwave on High until just heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. (Alternatively, heat in a small saucepan over medium heat.)
When just cool enough to handle, slash each sweet potato lengthwise, press open to make a well in the center and spoon the bean mixture into the well. Top each with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Spicy Sausage and Beans

-from MSN Lifestyle
Start to Finish: 30 min.
Ingredients 
• 3/4 pound bulk hot or mild Italian sausage 
• 1-1/2 cups chopped onion 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 
• 2 cups water 
• 1 15-ounce can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained 
• 1/3 cup raisins 
• 1 14-1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes or 2 cups chopped tomatoes 
Directions 
1. In a large pot, cook sausage and onion until sausage is no longer pink. Drain off fat. Stir in cinnamon and allspice; cook for 1 minute. 2. Stir in water, kidney beans, and rainsins. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in tomatoes; heat through. If desired, garnish each serving with snipped fresh parsley. Makes 4 servings.  

Blue-Cornmeal Griddle Cakes

-from SELF magazine

Makes 8 servings.
1 1/4 cups ground blue cornmeal
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup skim milk
2/3 cup honey
2 tbsp canola oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (or 1/4 cup dried)
Vegetable-oil cooking spray
Chili powder (optional)
Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk together milk, 1/3 cup honey, oil and eggs in a separate bowl and add to dry ingredients. Fold in blueberries. Heat nonstick skillet over medium heat. Coat lightly with cooking spray and dollop 1/4 cup batter for each cake. Warm remaining honey in a saucepan and add a dash of chili powder to taste, if desired. Drizzle over cakes.

Cornmeal-Crusted Fish Fillets

-from SELF magazine

Preparation Time: Ready in 20 minutes
Makes 4 servings.
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp hot-pepper flakes
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
4 fish fillets (such as sole or flounder, about 5 oz each)
2 tsp corn oil
Lemon wedges
Combine first 4 ingredients in a shallow bowl. Put egg whites in another shallow bowl. Dip each fish fillet in cornmeal mixture, then in egg whites, then again in cornmeal mixture. Place fillets on a plate; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 10 minutes. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add fillets and cook over medium-high heat, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with lemon wedges.

Corn-Bread Tamale Pie

Cooking-oil spray for greasing pan
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup rinsed and drained canned black beans
1 cup corn, drained, canned or frozen (thawed if frozen)
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup beef or chicken broth
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, optional
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon vegetable oil.
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 3-quart high-sided casserole dish with cooking spray. In a large skillet, saute the beef and onion over medium-high heat until the meat is brown and the onion translucent, about 10 minutes. Then add the beans, corn, tomato sauce, broth, bell pepper (if using), chili powder, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and teaspoon salt. In a small bowl whisk together the egg, milk and oil until combined. Whisk the milk mixture into the flour mixture until combined. Spread the meat mixture into the casserole dish and cover with the corn bread topping. The topping will disappear into the meat mixture but will rise during baking and form a layer of corn bread. Bake until the corn bread is brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serves 6.

Mark Bittman Bean Salad with Variations

2 cups dried beans, split peas or lentils, sorted
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice, more to taste
2 to 4 tablespoons minced red onion or shallot
Salt and ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped parsley.

1. Rinse beans, then place in a pot with water to cover by a couple of inches; bring to a boil, partly cover and simmer until tender, from 30 minutes (lentils) to as long as 2 hours or more (chickpeas and larger beans). While beans cook, stir red wine vinegar and onion together in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir in olive oil.

2. Cook beans until just tender, before their skins split. Drain. While still hot, add them to bowl with dressing. Toss gently until coated.

3. Let cool to room temperature (or refrigerate), stirring once or twice. Stir in parsley just before serving. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

Variations:

ITALIAN STYLE
Use cannellini or cranberry beans. Season vinegar with 1 tablespoon minced garlic and 1 teaspoon minced rosemary in addition to onions. For a milder taste, use white wine vinegar. If you have basil and you will serve salad right away, use 1/4 cup in place of rosemary.

FRENCH STYLE
Use Le Puy lentils or flageolet beans. Use sherry vinegar instead of red wine vinegar. Replace red onion with thinly sliced shallots. Instead of parsley, stir in 2 tablespoons minced tarragon before serving.

GREEK STYLE
Use dried fava or gigante beans. Use fresh lemon juice, not vinegar. Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic, along with onions. Instead of parsley, finish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint.

JAPANESE STYLE
Use edamame or adzuki beans. Substitute rice wine vinegar for red wine vinegar and grapeseed or corn oil for olive oil. Instead of parsley, finish with 1 sheet nori, toasted and crumbled.

INDIAN STYLE
Use chickpeas. Use rice wine vinegar and 2 to 4 tablespoons minced or grated fresh ginger instead of red onion or shallot. Instead of olive oil, use 2 tablespoons peanut oil and 2 tablespoons coconut milk. Use cilantro instead of parsley.

TEXAS CAVIAR
Use black-eyed peas. Use lime juice instead of red wine vinegar. When adding onions, add 1 clove minced garlic, 1/4 cup minced red bell pepper and minced jalapeño chili to taste. Use cilantro instead of parsley.

-from NYT