This will be news to absolutely nobody, but Greek yogurt is so versatile! No, really, it's true! Yesterday I decided to kick up my protein and went through a lot of Greek yogurt, with both good and so-so results.
I haven't made Nicole's chicken salad in a while, so I roasted a chicken breast in the toaster oven with salt and pepper (and a drizzle of olive oil), then diced the meat and mixed it with scallions, salt, pepper and Greek yogurt. Delish. That was a win. I have more for lunch this week.
Then I tried the Barefoot Contessa's mustard-roasted fish, but substituted yogurt for the creme fraiche in the recipe. As I feared, the yogurt curdled. It tasted virtually the same (really good) but I'm not sure my husband would go for curdled yogurt fish. And I can't really blame him. I did a little research, and apparently full-fat yogurt is less likely to curdle.
I'm on a bean kick lately. Beans are the perfect food, full of protein and fiber. (Also in love with Beano, btw.) I've never cooked dried beans before, but I'm giving it a try today.
I soaked the beans overnight, but when I looked online there didn't seem to be any consensus about whether to change the water (pro: gets rid of the gassiness; con: loses nutrients, flavor and color) or how long to cook them. Almost every recipe I found uses canned beans. Right now I have them simmering on the stovetop with a bay leaf and some chili powder in the water. My friend advises me not to salt them until they're finished cooking, as the salt makes them too tough.
Naturally, I am planning to top my cooked beans with a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Stay tuned for the results of that experiment.
In other news, thanks to all of you for the anniversary wishes. Your comments lifted my day. I'm planning a one-year photo post. Probably just as soon as I finish sending my Christmas cards.
Oh man your making me hungry!!! ;) Let me know how the beans come out, to my chili I have been adding black beans and red kidney beans yummy! Happy Belated Band Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm HUNGRY! I love that chicken salad recipe from Nicole. Did you add grapes?
ReplyDeleteWhat time will the beans be ready? I have my own bottle of bean-o.
I've never cooked black beans, but I make navy beans quite often. I usually keep the same water I soaked them in. Best of luck...
I look forward to a picture post!
That sounds like a great idea! I think if you rinse the beans, you'll fart less. But the thing about the salt is spot on. I love when your posts get me all excited about healthy food!
ReplyDeleteI cook dried beans all the time and I pour off the water after soaking, even when I do the quick soak method. I have not found that it helps with the gas though, does beeno really work?
ReplyDeleteI know, right? Greek yogurt all the way! I throw it in the ice cream maker with some splenda and wallah!
ReplyDeleteLettuce know how the beans come out, maybe I'll give it a shot.
Red beans & Rice is required every Monday in Cajunland. I do pour off the water after soaking!
ReplyDeleteoooh, can't wait to hear how the beans turn out. I'm currently obsessed with Black Beans.. can't get enough of them!!
ReplyDeleteOH! And I had my dates wrong for NYC - we will be there 3/24 - 27!! Would love to meet you!!! :)
I love using dried beans versus canned - the texture is so much better. I've started doing that for my chili now. I love to replace sour cream with greek yogurt and no one ever notices - even my daughter.
ReplyDeleteI also rinse the soak water off the beans and I cook lots. You have to do something with the leftover ham bones from the holidays! Plus with dried beans you can control the sodium, canned have so much salt in them. I made that chicken salad and it's so yummy. The fish sounds good too, I am in a fish mood this week but I did the quickie Trader Joe's mahi mahi burger for dinner tonight. You are doing great in the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteIf you like black beans, you must try Bahama Breeze's recipe for their Black Bean soup with yellow rice. I would give it to you but don't know how to do that link think. Just google "Bahama Breeze Black Bean soup recipe" and I promise it will come up. It is the BEST and tastes exactly like it does when we get it in their restaurant.
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