May 21, 2009

Wonderful Beans.

I love beans, yes I do. There isn't a more wonderful food than beans. The beans I have in mind are canned beans.

I am a terrible cook. I hate cooking for myself. I find no pleasure in making a meal and setting the table just for me. I admire endlessly those who do.
At this point in my life I have lived alone more than I ever did with other people. Which means I often eat my meals alone. As a child I expressed no interest in cooking; I did not enjoy helping my mother nor tried to learn how to prepare food, although she encouraged me relentlessly. My sister however grew up to be a magnificent cook.

Most scientists are excellent cooks. It is true. I think it has to do with the fact that in order to be successful in each, one has to be able to follow a recipe. Therefore, I am sure I have the potential to be a good cook. However, the few times I have had roommates, I have always been fortunate enough to be surrounded by people that enjoyed cooking more than I do. The Irishman is no exception. I love his cooking, as it is simple and tasteful. He is concerned about the ingredients and always cooks with fresh produce, omitting fat and salt. I can taste the food when he cooks; there is no extra additives or too many spices.

I truly enjoy the times when he is around; he prepares the dinner in the kitchen, while I watch the television or read a magazine. Always discussing what I am seeing or reading, or anything between heaven and earth, while we laugh and talk. I love to set the table and to light the candles as we sit down and enjoy a home cooked meal while we watch the sun set outside.
Those are the few precious moments of happiness.

Although he makes sure my freezer is stocked to the bursting point with meals he has prepared on his visits, they always disappear fast shortly after his departure.
And then I am stuck with my true friend in need, canned beans. I love them all; white beans, red beans, kidney beans, chilly beans. This is a magnificent and healthy food source. And it is very inexpensive, the most inexpensive cans in any grocery store. High in protein and very low in fat, they are nutritious and beneficial. Beans are one of the longest-cultivated plants, grown as far back as ancient Egypt, and the common bean has been cultivated for six thousand years in the Americas.

Therefore, until the Irishman comes back again, I rely heavily on canned beans to tide me over.

22 comments:

Unknown said...

me too.
about the beans i mean
i love them
and i add thing to them to make them special or just eat them the way they are........
gotta love beanz

Keera Ann Fox said...

You're definitely not a Norwegian! I don't know what it is with Norwegians, but they turn their noses up at beans. We Americans, however, love beans. :-)

I'll take half a can of chili beans or something similar, sprinkle cheese on top and heat in the microwave. Beans are an excellent source of fiber and protein.

And a salad is always improved with beans added.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

With the exception of chili beans I am WITH you all the way!!

I adore mixing a can of black beans and a cup of chunky salsa...topping with a sprinkling of cheese (my preference-Jack cheese) and dipping with tortilla chips...Mmmmmmmm!

Keera Ann Fox said...

Ooh, thanks for the tip, Jill! I happen to have bought black beans. :-)

Claus said...

Interesting that you like beans, just like many of your lady friends. Beans are pretty much a food group in Guatemala and we could never ever live without them. We have black beans, red beans, white beans, grains or liquified...for every breakfast and simple supper. Hmm...maybe I should share to the world how important and daily, just as well how we prepare them (always from scratch, never from a can, though there is the option, just barely used) to the world.

Reasons said...

"he prepares the dinner in the kitchen, while I watch the television or read a magazine"

Er hello?!! Are we planning on marrying this man? Grab him quick or clone him. He sounds truly wonderful! ;-)) xx

United Studies said...

When I was single and living on my own, I hardly ever cooked. I would always go out to eat, or make something very simple for me to eat while watching TV. If I did ever get the desire to cook, I would invite friends over so that I wouldn't have to eat alone.

Now I love to cook for Peter and Emma, and for my family. And since Emma has Celiac Disease and I have to cook gluten-free, I really have to choice but to cook!

United Studies said...

PS - Beans are great!!

Donna said...

We eat lots of beans too! And they are good for you. Of course, it's always nice to have someone else cook for you, especially if they're a good cook like your Irishman.

Hugs,
Donna

Diane said...

I might just have beans on toast for lunch today... yum!

You know what Ryan says about beans, though, right? Beans, beans, good for your heart. The more you eat, the more you fart. The more you fart, the better you feel, so let's eat beans for every meal!

Of course, she hates beans... but quite frankly? That's a good thing ;)

Keera Ann Fox said...

Diane, did you know that today's researchers have found that releasing flatulence lowers blood pressure? Yep. So eat, fart and be merry!

http://www.papermoonies.blogspot.com said...

Cooking, it is an art in itself other than the average slap it together for the family deal, which is what I do. I would rather be creating my art than be in the kitchen anyday. and I love beans.
I enjoy your content on your blog.
I now follow you.
Cheers
Brittany
http://www.papermoonies.blogspot.com

MsTypo said...

My husband is an amazing cook. I grew up with men who cook which is a very good thing since i'm not much of a chef. LOL

Hilary said...

Well everyone else used the cheap fart jokes so I'll just comment on cooking. ;)

I like that you and the Irishman know your own places in the kitchen. For all the ways that Frank and I butt heads, we do well with cooking. He prefers cooking the meat portion of any meal, and I prefer veggies and other side dishes. We rarely clunk unless he tries to season MY work. Or tries to convince me that ketchup is a vegetable. ;)

Holly said...

I am laughing that you narrated an entire post all about beans. But what is even better is that I love them too. I go through more canned beans then any other food. I put them all over my salads, in my salsa, sandwich wraps. You name it. I often eat beans in replace of meat. Black beans and kidney beans are my favorite.

Beverlydru said...

I'd say it's an accomplished writer who can make a post on beans interesting! Sounds like you manage just fine with minimum cooking. Good thing they're so good for you!

Betsy Brock said...

I think that is so sweet that your freezer is stocked after the Irishman visits!

Zuzana said...

=Lisa,
glad you agree.;)) Thank you for the comment.;)

=Keera,
yes, it is strange why Scandinavians do not like beans; I love everything about them, including the price.;) Your recipe sounds tasty.;))
And LOL to your comment below, I have to agree though.;)))
And sorry about being so bad about guessing it was a sheet of stamps!;))

=Jill,
yes, I love salsa to and tortilla chips as well; these combination are not as common here and difficult to obtain;) Thank you for always leaving such lovely comments.;)

=Claus,
you must think I am so not cultivated using canned beans! I am just to lazy to prepare them from scratch. Here you can buy dry beans for pretty much nothing, but they need to cook for hours. I sure would love to hear more about the bean culture in Guatemala.;))

=Reasons To Be...,
yes, he is keeper that is for sure! No doubt in my mind whatsoever about that. I would love to write each and every post about him but I think this might make everyone fed up with me and with my romantic state of mind, so I opt for just mentioning him sometimes (like all the time).:P:P
Thank you for your always wonderful comments, this one made me laugh and happy! xo

=Jacki,
I totally understand that; I too think it completely boring to cook just for me. Perhaps I need a husband a a child to change.;)))
Glad you too love beans!;))

=Donna,
so right you are in every aspect and I am a lucky woman.;) Thank you for your always kind words.;) xo

=Diane,
LOL, you are so much fun as always! I would love to hear Ryan say this, honestly! And she is right of course, lots of people have these problems.;)) Did you know it is worst when the beans have not been cooked properly? As they contain an enzyme that inhibits something that digest our food.;)) Simply put. Also our bodies gets used to it over time, so just serve more beans on regular bases and there will be no (less) problems.;)) Hehe, loved this comment dear friend!;))

=Keera,
did not know that only the fact that is dangerous to hold it back.;)) Hehe.;)

=Brittany,
thank you and you are completely correct; that sentiment can be applied to any aspects of live. Thank you for your kind words and compliments, I will gladly repay your visit.;))

=Cairo,
glad you too know the luxury of having a man that is so talented in the kitchen.;)) Always glad when you stop by.;)))

=Hilary,
you are so funny and you crack me up! Ho wonderful that you share the kitchen; you know that is very difficult. To be both cooking at the same time and to manage to collaborate this way shows how in sink you are.;))
LOL on the ketchup-vegetable thing! Well, he is partly right and there is some logic it.;)) Always appreciate your comments dear friend.;) xo

=Holly,
glad you liked this post and did not find it silly.;))
And yes, beans can be used as meat replacement as they are so high in protein; in fact they are essential to vegetarians.;))
Reading your kind words always make my mornings.;))xo

=Beverlydru,
thank you for that genuinely kind compliment; I just get inspired by everything around me. I am not sure how well I always manage to write about it tough:;))
Thank you for this lovely comment.;)

=Betsy,
yes, he does take care of me.;)) He is one in a million and I feel very lucky to have met him.;) xo

Gal Friday said...

The first thing that came to mind was the expression, "You are full of beans!"(which is a good thing to say about someone)
I, too, love beans--and made a big slow-cooked pot of baked beans last week, and was happy to discover there were more baked beans at the barbeque I went to last night.
I love chili, beans wrapped in a tortilla with salsa and eggs, bean soups...they are cheap and good for you, too.
I would not likely cook much for myself if I lived alone--I can understand that. There is a joy in cooking for other people--to feed both their bodies and their soul. I have become a pretty good cook in the last fifteen years or so, but boy--I would so very much love to have someone cook for me like your Irishman does.

Zuzana said...

=Tina,
glad to find yet another bean lover! Yes, cooking for just one is not the best, but I sure would love to become a better cook. Maybe one day.;)) xo

Shelly's Style Shop said...

I love beans too! I like to cook. Now that I have a big family to cook for it's easier to get out some recipes and cook away. I love to bake, too!

I don't mind if other people cook for me though! ;-)

Also, you have been tagged again, you won another award! Look at my latest blog.

xoxo, Shelly

Zuzana said...

=Shelly,
I bet you are an excellent cook!;))
Thank you for the award, I feel so honoured!;)))