Beans beyond basics
Colorful, creamy and protein-packed
This is a great way to add more protein to your weekly meals, without having a monotonous diet centered around eating only tofu and soy. When I first became a vegan back in 2012, everyone was spooked about protein. How will I manage to survive? How will I have enough energy and stamina? Will my brain suddenly implode?
Well, none of those things happened of course, and being conscious of what I ate was paramount. That’s why I love incorporating beans into my meals, in ways that are delicious and satisfying. Eating enough protein doesn’t have to be hard; eating in general should be a pleasant experience and this recipe will help you feel just that.
This recipe has 2-3 servings
Kidney bean dip
– 400 g kidney beans
– 250 g roasted red bell pepper
– 2 cloves garlic
– 30 g nut butter
– broth
– salt, pepper
Roasted vegetables
– 1 sweet potato
– 1/3 broccoli
– olive oil
– salt
– a pinch of cumin
Roasted vegetables
Peel and cut the sweet potato into medium cubes. Cut the broccoli florettes into the same size. Massage with olive oil and salt and bake along with the pepper until tender. Make sure you check on the broccoli after 10 minutes as the florettes will cook faster.
Kidney bean dip
Preheat the oven at 200°C, fan. Wash and pat dry your peppers and massage them with olive oil and salt. Place onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-15 minutes until roasted. Meanwhile, drain and wash the beans and add them to a blender with the rest of the ingredients. Add a bit of broth as your blend, until creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Bulgur
Cook bulgur on medium heat in broth or slightly salted water to a 2:1 ratio, 1 part quinoa 2 parts water. If you’re feeling adventurous, add some Garam Masala and raisins. Reserve.
Assemble
Enjoy a generous dollop of dip with 3 spoons of bulgur, roasted vegetables and some greens. If you have them on hand, you can add some toasted almonds for a delicious crunch.
Chef's tip:
You can make a bigger batch of this dip and freeze it for future use ♡
