Recipe Station

If you thought beans were just for burritos or to have by themselves as a side dish, we have several recipes here that will make you think twice. We were a little skeptical about some of these at first, but boy are they delicious!

Hearty Tomato Soup with White Beans
In my mind, the only thing wrong with tomato soup is that it never lasts; you’re always hungry only a little while after eating. That’s where this recipe, a favorite of my own four kids, comes in. It’s made with a quick puree of canned beans, which will help to keep you fuller longer.

White Bean Hummus with Lemon Juice
If your kids are as hungry after school as mine are, but you don’t want them to lose their appetites just before dinner, this is the dip for you. Pulse it in the food processor, and the whole thing comes together in seconds.

Vegan Pinto Bean Breakfast Sausage
Did you know you could make “sausage” out of pinto beans? This meatless recipe is hard to beat with its full flavor and punch of protein.

Pinto Bean Salsa Salad
This colorful salad mixes fresh ingredients — avocado, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, corn right off the cob — with simple beans to produce a rainbow of flavor right on the plate.

We'd never thought about using beans like this, especially not to make sausage. Who knew? We're really intrigued by all the different ways you can use beans, and now we can't wait to get in the kitchen and start experimenting!

Article Source: Food Network