Healthy and Delicious Cooking

Beans, whether they are baked, braised with meats, tossed into sauteed greens, or mixed with grains and vegetables, provide a satisfying meal for people all over the world. The classic combination of chickpeas and greens is found throughout the Mediterranean and South Asian cuisines. Small amounts of meats, combined with vegetables and beans give us stews from the Spanish, Portuguese, and French, and let us not forget good old Baked Beans from the American North East. These dishes have nourished and sustained families for generations. A bang load of nutrition and economic considerations may be the reason but sublime, gastronomic satisfaction and over all deliciousness has kept beans bubbling on our stoves. Cassoulet is the classic French casserole, choke full of white beans, duck, sausages, and pork, all smothered and baked up with duck fat, known as confit. It can take up to 3 days, and, yes, the end result is quite amazing. However, a few short cuts, and substitutes can ma...

I served this with Roast Chicken, but it is a quick and healthy side dish that can accompany a variety of main courses. Both mustard seeds and cumin boost your immune system to ward of  cold and flu, and cumin has, for centuries, been used in India, as a digestive. Simple, delicious and healthy too? Who could ask for anything more? RECIPE (SERVES 4) 1 pound green beans 2 teaspoons canola oil 2 teaspoons mustard seeds 2 teaspoons cumin seeds salt and pepper to taste Trim ends of beans and cut into 2" lengths. Heat the oil in a skillet, and add the mustard seeds. Immediately place a cover on the pan, keeping the heat at a medium flame. You will hear the mustard seeds popping and hitting the top of the lid. The minutes the sound ends lift the lid and add the cumin seed for 20 seconds, stiirring to coat with oil. Now, add the beans, salt and 1/2 cup water. Cover, lower flame and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until the beans are done.