Beans and Grain Recipes

Vegetarian Mexican pie with a spiced bean and corn filling sandwiched between layers of stovetop cornbread, baked until golden. A hearty, budget-friendly meatless main dish.

Traditional Mexican beans cooked in a pot (frijoles de olla) with just onion, lard, and salt. Slow-simmered from dried beans for 3 hours until tender and soupy. The foundation of Mexican cooking.

A show-stopping French technique: whole chickens deboned, stuffed with mushrooms and ground veal, marinated in cognac, and served in a pink and green peppercorn cream sauce with demi-glace. Part 1 of 2.

Red lentil soup with crushed tomatoes, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and a tadka of popping mustard seeds. Vegan, high-fiber Indian dal broth with warming spice.

Green bean casserole made in the microwave with canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy French fried onion rings on top. The classic holiday side dish ready in just 15 minutes.

Stir-fried long beans (or green beans) with red bell pepper and nutty wild rice, finished with a touch of sugar for balance. Quick, light side dish for any main.

A hearty two-meat chili: ground round and hot Italian sausage simmered with pink beans, black beans, peppers, and a cornmeal thickener. Feeds 15, perfect for game day or a freezer stash.

A vegetarian Indian-style dry curry of black beans with bell peppers, carrots, roasted peanuts, and sliced orange, spiced with cumin, coriander, ginger, and green chili. Finished with sherry and lemon juice.

Fresh black bean salad tossed with sweet corn, cilantro, red peppers, lime juice, and olive oil. No-cook relish ready in 20 minutes.

A savory carrot quiche with homemade butter crust, Edam cheese, cream, and bacon. Arranged in a star pattern, this European-style tart makes a gorgeous brunch or light dinner centerpiece.

Curry bean burgers blend mashed kidney beans with curry powder, garlic, grated carrot, and a cornmeal-cornstarch binder. Pan-fried vegetarian patties with warm Indian-inspired spice.

Not so meaty bean soup uses a dried bean mix simmered with seasoning packet, then partially blended for a creamy-yet-chunky texture. Plant-based and pantry-friendly, no meat needed.

Punchy black bean soup simmered with bacon, the holy trinity, and chili powder, then blended silky smooth. A smoky, chunky-or-creamy crowd-feeding pot with salsa and cream garnish.

One-skillet beef-a-roni with ground beef, elbow macaroni, green beans, and French onion soup. A quick weeknight dinner that cooks entirely in a frying pan.

Southwest bread Gilroy: a rustic yeasted loaf packed with black beans, corn, cilantro, Anaheim chiles, and garlic. Hearty Southwest-style artisan bread that eats like a meal.

Fava bean and tiny pasta salad with blanched carrots, chives, and a red wine vinegar-basil dressing. A light, marinated vegan side served at room temperature.