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Last week, Christine shared with you how she uses plant-based protein in her home cooking. This week I am doing the same with black beans. A can of black beans is a pantry staple in my home. I almost always have one on hand. With three busy kids, I need to be able to create a quick meal on the days our schedule is packed. Canned black beans allow me to do that. Here are three Spend Smart. Eat Smart. main dish recipes that use canned black beans for the protein.
- Black Bean Burgers: This is one of my favorite Spend Smart. Eat Smart. recipes. My family enjoys them on a bun with a slice of cheese and pickles. Though if time allows, these are even better with slices of lettuce, tomato, and onion or some sautéed mushrooms.
- Vegetable Quesadillas: This is my go-to recipe when time is tight for lunch or supper. For the vegetables, I use chopped up peppers and onions that we have left over from another meal. If I do not have leftovers, I use canned corn, which makes the recipe even easier.
- Spicy Stuffed Potatoes: My family loves a meal based on a baked potato. This recipe is a play on baked potatoes topped with chili. The topping is simply black beans, corn, and salsa warmed up. You can make the toppings your own by adding chili powder, peppers, onions, or whatever you like. When I am short on time and do not want to heat up the oven, I make Microwave ‘Baked’ Potatoes.
I can put all these meals together in half an hour or less. What is even better is that all these meals are packed with nutrients from vegetables, protein, dairy, and grains. Try out a black bean recipe this week and enjoy!
