Haricot Beans

Haricot Beans(Navy)

The navy bean, haricot, pearl haricot bean, boston bean, white pea bean, or pea bean, is a variety of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) native to the Americas, where it was domesticated.[5] It is a dry white bean that is smaller than many other types of white beans, and has an oval, slightly flattened shape.[1] It features in such dishes as baked beans, various soups such as Senate bean soup, and even pies.

The green bean plants that produce navy beans may be either of the bush type or vining type, depending on which cultivar they are.

Other white beans include cannellini, 'Great Northern', the lima beans known as "butter beans", and the runner bean.

Benefits :

• The beans are rich in protein,folic acid,iron, B complex, and magnesium, so they are an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

• Combined with whole grains such ad rice, navy beans provide virtually fat-free high quality protein.

• Dried haricot beans, a small but nutritionally mighty member of the legume family, are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber. Not only can they help lower cholesterol,they are also of special benefit in managing blood-sugar disorders since their high fiber content prevents blood sugar evels from rising rapidly after a meal.

• Dried beans also provide food to excellent amount of four important minerals,two B-vitamins,protein—all with virtually no fat.

• Haricot beans, like other legumes,are rich in soluble fiber

• They are a good source of potassium, which may decrease the growth and development of blood vessel plaques and is also good for lowering high blood pressure.

Serving ways:

• Make a delicious sandwich spread by blending cooked haricot beans in a food processor with olive or flax oil and yor favourite herbs and spices.

• Add a protein punch to tomato soup by serving it with some pre-cooked haricot beans mixed throughout.

• Mix cooked haricot beans with olive oil, sage and garlic and serve on bruschetta.

• Combine the beans with cooked roasted buckwheat and healthy sautéed onions and shiitake mushrooms for a hearty main dishes.

• Use the beans to make delicious and nutritious white chilli.

• Add cooked and cooled beans to a salad of leeks and chard and top with a rosemary vinaigrette.