2016 International Year of Pulses

Waking up into what felt like a cool fall morning, I started daydreaming of some hardy dinner options to branch out from the current summer fare. What came to mind were pulses, strengthened by the still abundant summer herbs and vegetables.

Pulses, also known as grain legumes, are the delicious, protein-packed, sustainable foods you know as dry beans, chickpeas, lentils and dry peas.

Pulses are a highly versatile ingredient to cook with as either a main meal or a side dish, they are the perfect complement to even the boldest of flavors. Adding pulses makes healthy easy, as they are high in protein, fiber, antioxidants and various vitamins and minerals, provide amino acids, and are hearty crops.

It is no surprise the 68th UN General Assembly declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses (IYP)

In order to incorporate more pulses in your family’s diet, start with the familiar: I am sure Hummus, that popular dip made of chickpeas, is on your table so many times a week. But did you know you can make it with almost any kind of cooked pulses? Using your favorite hummus recipe, simply replace the chickpeas with cooked lentils or beans. Spruce it up with a herb you like; basil is a first choice here, closely followed by tarragon. Try serving with toasted pita or sliced veggies, or spread on a sandwich.

Burgers and meatballs are also a popular food, and lentils, beans or a mixture of the two can be substituted for meat to make delicious, homemade veggie patties and meatless meatballs.

Little superfoods. Big on flavor. Nutritious seeds for a sustainable future.

Many hate the “mushy” texture of beans. This can be eliminated by cooking with dried beans instead of canned beans, which produce a much more palatable texture. Dried beans should be soaked overnight or quick soaked in boiling water for 1 hour before cooking.

Some classic recipes in our kitchen include hummus (duh!), white beans and pumpkin tebekha – a North African stew variant, and Mejadra, aka Majadra or Mujaddara – a rice, lentils and cumin delight. We will share our recipe later this week, so please check again soon.

Do you have a favorite pulses recipe you would like to share? A favorite dish you would like us to include in he coming weeks’ meal delivery program? Questions about cooking with pulses? Please share it with us and our online community.