Kidney beans are a pantry staple for a reason: the red, organ-shaped beans have a soft, buttery inner texture that complements a wide range of soups, pastas, chilis, and salads.
Dried kidney beans will keep for about a year if kept properly wrapped in a cold, dry area. Canned beans last around 3-5 years in the refrigerator but always check the pop button on the top of the can before using.
If the can is bulging, throw it out and don't consume it. These simple dishes can help you use up your bean supply without boring your family.
5 Ways To Use Kidney Beans In Your Kitchen
We all know that a dish of steaming rajma-chawal on a Sunday afternoon is unrivaled, but it never hurts to try something new. Here are five different methods to prepare kidney beans in your home.
Rajma, often known as red kidney beans, is a popular ingredient in Indian and Mexican cuisine. Kidney beans are high in protein and contain a lot of folic acids. Rajma beans are known as kidney beans because of their form, which is similar to that of a human kidney.
Rajma comes in three types in India: red rajma (which is brilliant red and smaller in contrast), chitra rajma (which is red white and larger), and Kashmiri/Jammu wale rajma. Let's look at how kidney beans may be used in regular cooking.
1. The Superstar – Punjabi Rajma Curry
Rajma Chawal is more than simply a dish in India; it's a feeling. Every household has a perfected kidney bean recipe that is enjoyed on a Sunday afternoon with a side of onions, aam ka achaar (mango pickle), green chilies or pudhina, and anaardana chutney. Just thinking about rajma-chawal is making us salivate.
2. A Mexican Fiesta With Red Kidney Beans
Red kidney beans are most likely used in Mexican cuisine in almost the same way they are in Indian cooking. They are used in salads, rice and beans, chili con carne, soups, burritos, enchiladas, soft tacos, hard shell tacos, layered dips, and other Mexican dishes.
Making a burrito at home is simple, and you can fill it with any type of meat or vegetarian protein, such as paneer, soya, or tofu. Toss in any greens, veggies, and sauces to your liking. If you're making Mexican food, make sure you use the little red form of kidney beans.
3. Pasta e Fagioli
This spaghetti, bean, and sausage soup is reminiscent of the Olive Garden classic and is a fantastic way to use up leftover vegetables and beans. Any little pasta shape would suffice, but ditalini has the most realistic flavor and texture. For a light lunch, serve it with a crust of Italian bread.
4. Vegetarian Three Bean and Grape Salad
Kidney bean salads scream summer, and this variation adds crunch and sweetness with celery and grapes. Use gourmet flavored oil or a particularly fine olive oil with green undertones to bring the flavor to the next level.
5. Stuffed Peppers With Rajma And Cheese
You eat first with your eyes. Correct? This dish is going to be a visual feast, with so much color and vibrancy that you'll want to dive right in. Stuffed red, green, and yellow peppers with a red kidney bean and rice mixture.
Sprinkle with grated cheese and bake until the bell peppers are well charred. You're ready for a fantastic lunch after the cheese has melted. Serve with a yogurt dip or tart tomato salsa.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Happens When You Eat Raw Red Kidney Beans?
Toxic effects can be triggered by just four or five uncooked kidney beans. You may feel severe nausea and vomiting within one to three hours of eating the raw beans, followed by diarrhea and stomach discomfort.
The poisoning does not cause mortality, and recovery often occurs within three to four hours after the beginning of symptoms. Some of the instances necessitated hospitalization.
How Long Does It Take For Kidney Beans To Cook?
Cooking kidney beans on the stove takes anything from 45 to 90 minutes. However, depending on the amount of time the beans have been soaked and how old they are, they may need less time to cook.
When they are soft and have a creamy texture, they are done cooking. Some beans may split apart naturally, while others will keep their structure.
Do You Need To Soak Kidney Beans?
Dried kidney beans, in particular, should be soaked for at least 5 hours before cooking, according to experts. It's usually a point of contention whether or not to soak beans in general. Some people believe that soaking beans makes them simpler to digest, whereas others disagree.
Read also;
