The very first steamy bowl of black beans soup drenched in plenty of fresh lime topped with a dollop of sour cream started a love affair with black beans that has never stopped. There is something about a hearty bowl filled with satisfying creamy beans.
That's why it's a good idea to keep your pantry stocked with beans for fast and health salad toppings, dips, soup, side dish and Mexican favorites like tacos, burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas. Beans also happen to be inexpensive ingredient and are easy to enjoy right from the can after you rinse them well under cold water to clear away any starch clinging to the beans or that unwanted, metalic flavor. Some dinner-ready favorites include garbanzo, also called "chick peas", black beans, navy, kidney and pinto. They are a health smart and very high in fiber, which means loads of benefits including lowering cholesterol and keeping blood sugar stable -- helping to keep cravings at bay and even improve your mood. A half cup is about 100 calories and a pretty filling snack when enjoyed with a few whole grain tortilla chips, stirred into tomato salsa or drizzled with a low-cal salad dressing.
Get the Skinny Chef's Black Bean Quesadilla recipe.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 quesadilla):
113 calories, 5 g protein, 8 g carbohydrates, 6 g fat (0 g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 5 g fiber, 318 mg sodium.
What do you think?