[kattails]

I am trying to get my kids to eat some of the things I use to eat as a child. anyone have any tips on cooking and seasoning black eye peas? and butterbeans? :smhelp:

 

[Darlene]

When my kids were younger beans were usually hidden away in foods like chili, tacos etc. They weren't big fans of drier beans like limas and almost all beans (soft) were always eaten if they could be dipped in things like lf ranch dressing.

 

[thesightofoneself]

i vote for not forcing beans. my parents forced me as a child and i still dont like beans. the closest thing i eat is lentils. but every parent and child is different. they might change their mind on their own. i liked beans for about a month and then i was back into my old mindset. best of luck though getting them to eat whatever you make.

 

[2ndGenGranola]

Funny, beans are my kids favorite food. However, I didn't like them as a young person - not so much the flavor but the symptoms. I make sure I cook and rinse mine until there are no bubbles left. That way they have no exaggerated intestinal problems. I didn't like mine soupy either and I don't cook them that way. We eat pretty much vegan now so I keep them pretty plain. Before going vegan, I would use a pork roast and Mexican seasoning in my pintos, ham and onions in the butter beans and black eyed peas. I love chile powder and cumin in black beans - Italian spices are good there too.

 

[ladykemma2]

blackeyed peas, real butter and a splash of franks durkee red hot

 

[lisaflex]

lol. my kids wont eat any type of bean......stepson may eat baked beans occassionally....dd will not go near em

 

[Judi Dial]

I wasn't fond of any kind of dry bean, except in chili as a kid, a taste I acquired as an adult. That said, try bean soup maybe? Do they like pea soup? If they do, or like "lentil goop" (what we call lentils & sausage or...) then a buzzed bean soup with ham would probably work.

The other thing I've started doing recently, got this from a frugal friend, is adding black beans to hamburgers. It's really good, makes 'em cheaper, and it does improve the flavor.

Judi

 

[Palooka]

My kids love black beans in veggie burgers or black bean dip. They will eat refried beans and baked beans. Chili of course too. It's always mixed in something.

 

[mndtrp]

The problem may be too many dry, hard beans. I've been putting more beans in my recipes, but still don't care for the dryish texture, even after soaking and simmering for hours on end.

If you are just looking for the nutrition, I would puree and put into the dishes that way. If you are truly looking for them to eat the beans as is, good luck. I think beans are something that most children start eating later in life for various reasons.

 

[2ndGenGranola]

The problem may be too many dry, hard beans. I've been putting more beans in my recipes, but still don't care for the dryish texture, even after soaking and simmering for hours on end.

????????????????????

Why are your beans still dryish after soaking and simmering? Even at our altitude, mine are mushy after a regular cooking session.

 

[Hamada]

Don't forget you can use any type of bean to make a dip.

Bean burritos might be fun. I also will make bean tacos out of refried beans.

You can also pretend that what ever you are eating with beans is really only for adults. Just make a big fuss over it until they decide to try some. Give them a little bit saying you probably won't like it, it really is for adults only. This usually gets them to trying it if not liking it.

I also like making taco salad with refried beans.

 

[mndtrp]

????????????????????

Why are your beans still dryish after soaking and simmering? Even at our altitude, mine are mushy after a regular cooking session.

I'm not sure how to describe the texture, other than feeling like they are still dry on the inside. They feel nothing like canned beans. I don't know why they are the way they are.

 

[Nishu]

I'm not sure how to describe the texture, other than feeling like they are still dry on the inside. They feel nothing like canned beans. I don't know why they are the way they are.

Have you had this result multiple times? I think old, dry beans will do this to you. I've also read that adding salt will prevent them from cooking so you need to add salt when they're done.

 

[mndtrp]

Have you had this result multiple times? I think old, dry beans will do this to you. I've also read that adding salt will prevent them from cooking so you need to add salt when they're done.

I've only made chili with dry kidney beans once. I have made refried beans in the crock pot several times, but those were obviously pinto. I also haven't seasoned any of my beans with salt while cooking.