It is not easy raising children. But it becomes easier if they learn to eat beans. Beans offer a wide array of health benefits due to their high protein content. On top of that, they can be really delicious and enjoyable to eat. The perfect blend of crunch and freshness brings about a new twist to every dish they are a part of. Believed to be from Mexico, beans have become an integral part of the meals of people across the globe. They are also quite popular in India. However, the kids in the house might have a hard time agreeing that they are tasty.
Here is a recipe that will help all the cooks to make a perfectly delicious and healthy dish using beans. It will take just a few minutes and will be savoured by the kids and elders alike.
Image credit: Pexels
The fibrous beans are believed to have originated in South America thousands of years ago. The exact year is difficult to tell but when the Spaniards went to the continent, they saw widespread use of the crop. It is scientifically called Phaseolus vulgaris.
In 1492, Christopher Columbus brought the crop to the Mediterranean region. Within 3 centuries, the mighty bean was being cultivated across Europe in countries like Italy, Greece and Turkey. The crop was widely experimented with and several innovative dishes emerged from it.
Today, the world has a large variety of beans. Some fat, some short. One thing remains, the love for the crop which can blend in with almost every dish.
How To Cook Mexican Green Beans?
Ingredients:
1 pound of green beans, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ red onion, chopped
4 pickled jalapeño peppers, chopped
½ teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
½ cup cilantro leaves, chopped + more for garnish
½ teaspoon salt
1 red bell pepper, julienned
½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled + more for garnish
½ avocado, chopped or sliced
Method:
Take a large bowl and fill it with ice-cold water. Set it aside.
Now, in a large saucepan, boil some water. Then, add beans to it and cook on low flame until they turn bright green and crisp-tender. It should take about 1 to 2 minutes.
Drain the water and shift the cooked beans to the bowl of ice-cold water. When the beans get cold, drain them again.
In another small bowl, whisk together olive oil, onions, jalapeños, oregano, cilantro, and salt.
In a different large bowl, add cooked beans, bell pepper, cheese, and avocado.
Stir in dressing and mix well.
Garnish with additional cotija and cilantro. It is best served chilled.
With this dish, you have nothing to lose. It will taste amazing and also serve great health benefits. More intake of protein and increased digestion is just a couple of them. The dish is also easy to make and it saves a lot of time and effort.
It can be served to guests as well. Mexican Green Beans are perfect for dinner but can be enjoyed during lunch or even breakfast.
