Welcome To The Soup Bean Survival Blog Featuring Heirloom Bean Recipes!
Heirloom Beans Provide A Heavy Dose
of Warmth and Nutrition
Lots and Lots of Beans
Good Mother Stallard, Eye of the Goat, Jacob’s Cattle, Black Valentine, Snowcap. Each bean comes with its own story and personality.
“Each bean variety has its own nuance --- how it grows, how it’s farmed, how it develops, how it tastes and looks,” business partner. “They’re all different and all beautiful.
And thanks to that gigantic sorter, their deluxe heirloom dried beans have gone mainstream. After years of limited supply to the public, they’re now sold in Raley’s and Bel Air supermarkets as well as Whole Foods and other outlets.
Labor-intensive, dried beans traditionally need hand sorting to cull broken halves and debris. In past years, Elegant Beans used 130 laborers to pick over each crop.
After sorting and washing, the beans are polished with ground corn cob grit to a high gloss. Then they’re packaged and ready to go.
“One year, we grew 54 different beans – unbelievable,” recalled Bobbie, shaking her head. “Now we stick to about 20 (varieties) at one time plus a few new ones.”
“(There are) more than 2,000 varieties of beans --- at least the ones that can be farmed (here),” added Bobbie with a small sigh, knowing that there are still many more weird names to add to her inventory.
Arikara Yellow, Black Calypso, Hidatsa Red, Green Flageolet --- they sound like a rainbow-hued map of the bean world. According to plant experts, about 40,000 varieties exist, but only a small fraction are grown commercially or in quantity.
Like heirloom tomatoes, the seeds of these rare beans were saved by generations of farmers, who grew them over and over to perfection. Seed hunters scout these seed savers worldwide for “new” heirlooms to introduce to a wider market.
“Beans are part of a healthy diet. That’s what customers want now, and beans have all that and more.”
Another plus: These beans are locally grown and processed. That has added appeal in the farm-to-fork capital.
Bean Renaissance
One of the world’s oldest cultivated crops, beans --- particularly unusual heirloom varieties --- are enjoying an American renaissance. Chef’s like the convenience and creative opportunities dried beans offer. They’re a flavorful foundation for vegetarian entrees.
Home cooks like dried beans’ value as well as taste. Beans, even fancy ones, are a comparatively inexpensive source of high-quality protein. One pound of (any variety) costs $12.99 (suggested retail price) and can feed at least 12 people. Try that with 1 pound of hamburger.
By definition, heirloom beans are old varieties that have been grown un-changed for generations, often a century or more. Unlike modern hybrids, they grow true to their variety, exactly the same summer after summer, decade after decade. Some trace back to ancient American Indian tribes. Others were familiar to early colonists or Old West pioneers.
The thing about these unusual beans, they come with no directions (on how to grow). Most farmers are not into beans except for rotation (crops with grains).
Heirloom beans have become a specialty crop.
Drought presents another challenge, While some bean varieties require generous irrigation, other species --- particularly those originally grown by Native American tribes --- are used to desertlike growing conditions and can cope with drought.
But they were repeatedly drawn back to heirloom beans.
Best sellers: Runner Cannelini, Christmas Limas and that troublesome Good Mother Stallard.
Real Soups
Heirloom Bean Soup makes a nice hot and filling meal that provides a variety of health benefits. The ingredients and possible combinations with heirloom beans are seemingly limitless. The healthiest heirloom bean soups are best “homemade” and always include fresh ingredients. Fresh ingredients like vegetables and mushrooms. Some benefits of eating heirloom bean soup are nutritional. Many say heirloom bean soup with the right nutritious ingredients, may even offer weight-loss benefits (depending on ingredients and recipe design) since heirloom beans are also a great source of fiber.
Bean soup can be quick and easy to get ready and most folks enjoy the amazing taste, making it a great meal planning idea for picky eaters too. Think about it, you can toss your soup ingredients in a slow cooker... then place it on low heat before you head out for work. When you get back from a crazy day at work, you'll be find a hot, tasty meal... ready to eat.
Heirloom Bean Recipes
On this blog, you will find some great soup recipes that are easy, delicious and can be designed for whatever size family you have. These recipes include many seasonal vegetables and you will be excited to to have your family eating healthy without spending too much preparation time.
Creamy Heirloom Beans Simple And Delicious
Here’s a nice soup bean recipe that will bring creamy warmth, a fragrant aroma and smile too anyone who gets a bowl.
Heirloom Bean Ingredients
Too Make 4 Servings
One cup mixed dried heirloom beans, soaked.
One quart chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth
2 sprigs thyme, plus leaves for serving
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
¼ cup heavy cream
Pinch of sea salt
Olive oil (use at time of serving)
Step 1
Bring heirloom beans, stock, and thyme sprigs to a gentle simmer in a medium pot over medium-high. Reduce your heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, skimming any foam from surface. Do this until beans are tender. 1–1½ hours, depending on types. Toss the thyme. Then, season with salt and pepper, once removed from heat… let sit for 30 minutes.
Step 2
Return to a simmer. Stir in cream. Slightly season with a little more salt and pepper if needed. Then… serve topped with your thyme leaves and sea salt and finally drizzle with olive oil.
Optional Step 3
Planning Ahead? Beans can be cooked up to 3 days ahead. Let cool. Cover and chill.
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