[ahk]

Originally Posted by Dante

Great thread, Sun. I have been reading all of the posts. I also confess that I have learned a lot from the Food channels. There was talk about acorn and I believe butternut squash. One thing that I add to mine besides butter and brown sugar is a small amount of maple syrup. Very good that way.
Over the holiday, I attempted once again to make an omelette. On Ina Garten, (The Barefoot Contessa's) show, she had a guest who was famous for his omelettes demonstrate how he does his. He actually flipped the egg mixture once it was cooked on one side, up in the air, and CAUGHT it!. Out of my league, so, I do not own an omelette skillet, I gave this a try. I got another same size skillet, and turned it upside down and landed in the other skillet!. Success! It was fantastic! I added bacon, green onions, and grated cheddar cheese. Folded it in half. Put slices of avocado and salsa on top. Does anyone have any omelette suggestions or success stories?
Is it just me, or does sometimes the background music they play while one of these chefs is cooking or stirring, sound like the music they play on "porno" films. Not that I watch a lot of those.

HI Dante--!! So happy to see you here. I wanted to comment on two things: music and toppings. I can't agree with you more about the music they play-- my honey says the same thing. lol. Toppings -- I like broccoli, cheddar, garlic. I also like cheese with shrooms and onions. and I like ham, cheese, with green chili. I am not good at making omelettes, when I attempt to make them, they usually end up as scrambled eggs with added toppings.

Originally Posted by Sun

Helloooooooooooooooo Delicious people!




So I am now inclined to ask all of you a few questions about your foodie adventures:

#1 Is there a city or town that stands out for you as having a great food scene? Portland, Or

#2. What makes a location a great food scene for you? Locals and smell.

#3. Where would you like to travel to, to experience the local foods? Hawaii

#4. What dish or meal stands out as something that you would travel for again? Pad Thai (I ate more pad thai than I ever had when I traveled to Portland)

My answers are in coloured. and btw, what an awesome way to spend your Saturday morning, coffee, talking about food, and friend(s).

So I have been eating lots of beans over the past few days and thought-- who else likes beans? What kind of beans do you like? and what kind of recipes do you use?

Here are some beans I've eaten-- in the past (not all within the few days)


Adzuki Beans



These little dark red beans are sweet and easy to digest. Splash them with tamari and barley malt or mix them with brown rice, scallions, mushrooms and celery for dynamite, protein-rich rice patties. (Or how about some Zesty Adzuki Bean Salad?) -- mmm.

Anasazi Beans

https://www.usaemergencysupply.com/i...sazi_beans.jpg

This burgundy and white heirloom variety is popular in Southwestern recipes — especially soups. It's no surprise since they make an excellent substitute for pinto beans. Make refried beans with these little treasures and you'll never look back.

Black Turtle Beans (black beans) -- my favourite.



Combine these little lovelies with cumin, garlic and orange juice or toss them with olive oil, cilantro and chopped veggies for two incomparable salads.

Black-Eyed Peas (not the music group)



On the search for soft, quick-cooking beans? Look no further. These creamy white, oval-shaped beans are ubiquitous in southeastern US states where they're a traditional New Year's dish. Toss them with yogurt vinaigrette, tomatoes and fresh parsley. (Mmmm, it doesn't get any better than Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Green Soup.)

Cannellini Beans



These smooth-textured beans are packed with nutty flavor. Add them to tomato-based soups like minestrone or toss with olive oil and black pepper for a satisfying side dish. Also try making a white bean hummus--.

Garbanzo Beans (a.k.a. Chickpeas)




This prominent ingredient in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and East Indian dishes — think hummus and falafel — has a mild but hearty flavor. Garbanzos are a good foil for strong spices like curry powder, cumin and cayenne pepper, so add them to salads, soups and pasta dishes. (Having a party? Serve this Chipotle Veggie Stew and you'll be a legend.)

Flageolet Beans



First things first; pronounce these beans "flah-joh-lay." This creamy heirloom bean is used in French country cuisine as a side dish for lamb and poultry. Their delicate flavor is enhanced by aromatic onions, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves and thyme. They're delicious in tomato sauces, too.

Great Northern Beans



Think of these guys as big teddy bears; they're the largest commonly available white bean, but they're all soft and mild on the inside. Great Northerns make for delicious baked beans or add them to soups and stews with longer cooking times.

Green Lentils (a.k.a. French Lentils)



Ooh la la! These lentils hold their shape well and have deep, rich flavor. They're an excellent addition to salads, spicy Indian dal or simple lentils and rice.

Green Split Peas



Give peas a chance! Split peas shine in soups where they're cooked until creamy to bring out their full, sweet flavor. Serve them with a dollop of minted yogurt for an Indian touch.

Kidney Beans



These large, red beans are popular in chili, salads, soups and baked beans. Make sure to cook them until completely tender and cooked through to eliminate the gastric distress-causing toxin Phytohaemagglutinin (Kidney Bean Lectin) that's present in raw and undercooked kidney beans.

Lima Beans



Thankfully, succulent lima beans are shedding their bad rap as the food to force-feed kids. Add them to minestrone and other soups or combine them with corn and green beans for succotash. Who knows? You might even forgive your parents.

Lupini Beans


At Italian fairs and Spanish beer halls these beans are a popular snack. Technically a member of the pea family, these flat, coin-shaped, dull yellow seeds are second only to soybeans in plant protein content. Allow for a long soaking period and extended cooking time to reduce their potential for bitterness.

To be continued on a new post---