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Meatless Monday: The Ultimate Vegetarian Chili

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:15:36 PDT

You've heard how meatless Mondays are good for the planet. Now, look to Cooking in Pajamas for a fast and easy vegan chili recipe.

Meatless Monday is back baby! It never actually went anywhere, I just kept forgetting to blog about it. In my quest to get healthy and lose a few pounds before my 20th anniversary trip in April, I have been testing out a plant based diet. I keep going back and forth on whether I want to include fish in my diet. I am thinking of limiting it to once or twice a month. While I decide, I am loving some of the vegetarian dishes I have made. For lunch yesterday I made a polenta pizza. . .a grilled slice of polenta topped with a slice of heirloom tomato, shredded mozzarella, garlic and basil.

This chili will knock your socks off. Not only is it healthy, it is a flavorful and spicy bowl of vegetables, beans, chiles, spices and wine. You can easily serve this to the die-hard meat eaters in your house, and it will be gobbled up.

This chili is also vegan, which means it contains no dairy products. If you are not into the vegan thing, feel free to top your bowl of chili with sour cream and sharp cheddar. The chili is quite spicy. As you see it has a jalapeño AND a chipotle chili. If you would like a more mild version, use half of the jalapeño with the seeds removed. Try not to cut back on the chipotle because it adds a deep, smoky flavor.

For her unique technique - which involves marinating tofu for extra flavor! - keep reading.

3 Reasons to Eat More Beans

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:06:41 PDT

Joke all you want, but since they offer so many health benefits, beans really are the magical fruit (or legume, really). If you shy away from them, here are three reasons to start eating beans today.

Encourage Weight Loss
Thanks to their high fiber and water content, beans are extremely filling; it doesn't take much to feel satisfied. Taking a long time to digest, beans help keep hunger at bay for longer, which means less snacking later. A recent study found that on average, bean eaters were seven pounds lighter and have slimmer waists than those who don't eat legumes. A more slender you not only builds self-confidence, it also lowers your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.

Keep reading to find out more reasons you should be eating beans (recipes included!).

Killer App: White Bean Dip

Susannah Chen — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:59:39 PST

I often like to make my own chickpea spread, but lately I've been leaning heavily on another plant-based purée: white bean dip. With little more than canned beans and lemon juice, it's almost easier than hummus; there's no mess of transferring tahini paste into the blender.

This recipe, courtesy of our friends Cara and Phoebe, is the right blend of rusticity, thanks to the rosemary, lemon, and garlic. Depending on my mood, I'll play around with it, switching up the herbs, taking out the garlic, or adding a dash of lemon zest into the mix. Serve the wholesome dip with flatbreads or carrot sticks for a healthy, meat-free snack. For a simple everyday appetizer recipe, keep reading.

3 BPA-Free Alternatives to Canned Beans

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:48:48 PST

BPA (bisphenol A) is bad news. Animal studies of this chemical, which used to be found in many reusable plastic water bottles, links high levels of BPA to cancer, heart disease, and early puberty. BPA-free bottles have replaced reusable plastic water bottles and baby bottles, but BPA is also used in the lining of canned foods. A recent Harvard study found that after participants ate a serving of canned foods once a day, five days in a row, their levels of BPA rose 10 times.

As a vegetarian, I've been living on canned beans since they're so convenient. But now I feel they're unsafe to eat, especially for my 1-year-old. If canned beans are a staple in your diet, here are three BPA-free alternatives.

Go with Eden: This brand of organic canned beans specifically says on the label, "bisphenol A-free can lining." Don't assume that all "healthy brands" are BPA-free. I emailed Westbrae, and at this time, the linings of their cans do contain BPA.

Continue reading for two more BPA-free alternatives to canned beans.

A Reader Recipe: Bean Salad With Fresh Herbs

Fit Community — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:06:45 PDT

This bean salad will make the perfect side dish for your next Summer barbecue. FitSugar reader Dara8182 posted it in our Healthy Recipe group.

This tasty dish is a great healthy side for your next cookout. Filled with protein and fiber, simple beans, and some garden fresh herbs, the recipe is simple, delicious, and versatile. Add this salad to wraps, veggies, or pasta for a complete meal.

Learn more about the recipe after the break!

Versatile Black Beans Make Great Meatless Monday Meal

Katie Sweeney — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:49:19 PDT

Sometimes it's nice to prepare a big bowl of beans; then, you can use the beans over and over again to make different dishes throughout the week. Tonight I suggest you throw together a pot of these fragrant and flavorful black beans. The recipe calls for canned beans, so you don't have to worry about overnight-soaking or cooking for a long period of time. Serve the beans in a crispy taco shell, layered between two soft tortillas as quesadillas, or tossed with greens in a hearty salad. To get the fast and easy recipe, keep reading.

Weekend Cooking: Beer-Baked White Beans

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:20:24 PDT

If you're a fan of slow-cooked baked beans, you'll love this easy recipe for white beans with bacon, beer, and rosemary. This dish requires time: the beans must be soaked overnight and then cooked in the oven for two hours, so plan ahead. The wait is worth it, though. The beans are rustic but elegant, and absolutely delicious. Entertaining? Serve with roast chicken and a green salad. To get the recipe, read more.

How to Shell and Prepare Fava Beans

Katie Sweeney — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:57:47 PDT

This Spring, I've decided to experiment with seasonal produce I've never cooked with before. Up first: fava beans. Favas are in season from now until July and once cooked, they have a beautiful vibrant color and tender delicious flavor. They're somewhat fussy to use because they must be shelled twice. Learn the proper technique with these step-by-step photos.

Take a Journey to the Big Easy With a Pot of Red Beans

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:52:16 PST

Red beans and rice is a dish that is native to Louisiana. Traditionally it's enjoyed on Mondays because it's a one-pot meal that makes use of leftovers from Sunday's family dinner. The important thing to remember is that the beans must be soaked overnight, therefore a little planning is involved when making it.

It also requires time because the beans simmer with pork, vegetables, and aromatics for two hours. The resulting dish is hearty soul food that's filling and flavorful. Four different kinds of pork - bacon fat, ham, ham hocks, and smoked sausage - infuse the beans with an amazing richness.

To take a trip to the Bayou in your own kitchen, all you have to do is make these red beans and rice! Here's the recipe.

8 Fantastic and Filling Bean Recipes

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 04:00:02 PST

Don't let playground rhymes dissuade you, beans are quite magical. Little legumes make the list of top five foods for women because they are great sources of protein, and packed with magnesium, potassium, foliate, and fiber.

While beans can be difficult to digest, they're a healthy option vegetarians or anyone looking for a wholesome, filling, and nutritious staple. Choose hummus (it's made with garbanzo beans) over dip, and add beans to salads, burritos or soups to get your fill, or pair beans with rice or corn for a complete protein. And, if you're ready to soak up even more benefits of beans, try one of these eight filling recipes from the FitSugar team and members of our Healthy Recipe group.