Customer Reviews

Beans: More than 200 Delicious, Wholesome Recipes from Around the World

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I happened upon this book at a promotion in my local bookstore. Since my husband is a bean-a-holic, and the sample recipes the author had prepared were delicious, I decided to buy it.

I've made half a dozen of the recipes so far, and I've been delighted with every one. I note that another reviewer complains that the recipes call for dry beans... well, you CAN use canned if necessary. And although Ms. Green tells you which sort of pots, etc, would be ideal, you can certainly use whatever cookware you have on hand.

The black turtle bean pate with tequila is divine. I tasted Aliza Green's version at the book signing and promptly tried to make my own. Mine was *almost as good and was gobbled up by my guests... I *will try again!

I hope you'll consider this book if you love beans and other legumes. It's a delight. And many recipes are vegetarian or have a vegetarian option, for those who don't eat meat.

Enjoy, and as Ms. Green signed in my copy - Bean Appetit!

This in one of my go too cook books. It is very well thought out and has provided me with a great education of the humble bean along with a lot of cooking inspiration.

I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy cooking. If you are the instant gratification sort of person, you can use canned beans in place of dried but the time and effort is paid off 10 fold if you use good quality or heirloom beans.

I love to cook. When my boyfriend of 15 years decided to become a vegetarian, 98% of my "go to" meals were nixed. I had images of plates full of tofu and raw veggies and feared the loss of hearty comfort foods roasted and braised meats provide. This book, along with the discovery of heirloom beans have opened a whole new world of comfort food cooking to me. A life spent eating mass produced canned beans I had no idea how hearty, versatile and satisfying beans could be!

Aliza Green spends the first 3 chapters of the book explaining the history, health benefits, various varieties of, and several ways to cook beans. Ms Green also provides you with all of the tools you need to turn simple dry beans into something hearty, healthy and delicious.

The rest of the book is filled with creative recipes spanning many cultures for appetizers, soups, salads, light meals, main dishes, deserts and basic recipes for simple delicious beans. She also provides you with a helpful pantry recipe section along with sources for ingredients mentioned in her book.

As mentioned by other reviewers a minority of the recipes list non standard pantry ingredients like nasturtium (as a garnish) and toasted cumin seeds (takes a few minutes to prepare at home). Out of the over 200 recipes, there are less than 10 that list non standard pantry items. Most of the recipes offer substitutes for uncommon ingredients and vegetation options for the ones with meat.

All in all this is a very well thought out book full of information and recipes. I could not recommend a better book for people trying to reduce their meat consumption without sacrificing hearty satisfying food.

This cookbook has been sitting on my kitchen table for weeks now and I keep finding something new every day. This is so much more than beans! best Red Thai curry I've made ..our friday night pizza was made with chickpea flour from this book and was incredible. Aliza you are incredible..love thumbing page to page for inspiration..love you and all your cookbooks xxoo

A nice-looking book and I'm sure the recipes are very good but they are just not conducive to everyday cooking. I was looking for recipies to bring more fiber and nutrition into my family's lives. Though the beans will surely do that..the recipes often have many unusual or expensive ingredients that I don't even know where to find (e.g., whole black mustard seeds, nasturtium flowers, nigella seeds, Madeira, 'confit of duck legs-?? etc). Other recipes require things like toasted coriander seeds, toasted allspice, etc. that take a lot of time to prepare. It's clearly written by a chef for other chefs or people who can afford the expensive ingredients, have access to gourmet food stores or to spend all day in the kitchen...not for the everyday cook. I gave it 2* - not because it's a bad cookbook...it's just not very usable to me...and unfortunately, will probably sit on my shelf unopened most of the time. =(

This cook book is not designed for a busy, active person. The author dismisses the use of canned beans. Every recipe requires that you begin by soaking and cooking dried beans (an 8 hour process). It also assumes that you have access to specialized cooking equipment, like earthenware pots and paella pans. The one recipe that I made completely from scratch (including carmelizing garlic and fire roasting tomatoes) was definitely NOT worth the effort - it just wasn't that good. While I really like to cook, I don't have the time that this cook book demands.