Meaty Beans

Meaty Beans

These were inspired by one of my favourite breakfast sides at Hotel Hotel in Canberra. Their ‘meaty beans’ are usually a combo of chickpeas and other dried beans slow cooked with pulled pork. So good! For my meaty beans though I prefer to use beef (for the extra iron pregnant ladies need!). And I used minced (ground) meat because it’s inexpensive and then I don’t have to worry about it getting tough during the cooking process.

500g white beans
500g (1lb) minced beef
2 tins tomatoes (400g / 14oz) each
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
baby spinach or other greens, to serve

1. Place beans in a large bowl. Cover with water and stand for as long as you’ve got (8 hours is ideal but no longer than 48).

2. Drain beans and place in a large oven proof dish with the beef, tomatoes, paprika and 2.5 cups water. Cover with a lid or foil.

3. Bake 180C (350F) for about 2 hours or until beans are tender.

4. Season generously with salt and pepper. Serve with baby spinach leaves on the side and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Variations

short on time – skip the soaking but be prepared for extra ‘gas’. Or use drained canned beans (about 4 cans) instead and skip the water. Just cook in the oven for 20-30 minutes or until the beef is cooked through.

more mexican – add some dried or canned chipotle chillies and serve with sour cream.

hot! – add fresh or dried chilli.

vegetarian – skip beef and serve with steamed rice or use some dried lentils instead. And don’t forget to change the name!

paleo – use fresh shelled borlotti or broad beans instead. Reduce the amount of water (1 cup should be fine) and reduce cooking time to 30 mins or 1 hour or however long the beans take! Or replace beans with roast veggies.

lower carb – use puy lentils instead of the beans. Skip the soaking time and expect the cooking time to be about 45 mins. Or try this Quick Pork Ragu.

richer – add a few tablespoons butter with the paprika.

no smoked paprika – it’s worth seeking out but you can use regular paprika. Or use cayenne pepper (1tsp) instead. Or just skip.

different meat – any ground meat like lamb, pork, chicken or turkey would work. OR use diced meat off the bone like chicken thigh fillets or chuck steak – anything you’d normally put in a curry or stew.

carb lovers / more substantial – serve with pasta or mashed potato.

Waste Avoidance Strategy

white beans / tins tomatoes / smoked paprika – keep them in the pantry.

minced beef – freeze it.

baby spinach – either freeze or wilt down in a pan with a little oil and then keep in the fridge for weeks.