Jamaica Me Crazy Beans

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I had some dry Adzuki beans in the pantry that had been in there for a while, so I had to think up a way to use them. I wanted something different from a typical bean soup. I spotted Pickapeppa Sauce in the door of the fridge, and it sent me towards Jamaica. You could substitute other beans (black, red, black-eyed, kidney, pidgeon pea, etc.) for the Adzuki beans. You can also used canned beans. I didn't use the bean broth, but you could certainly do so. These beans are pretty mild, heat-wise. If you like things hot, you can use more cayenne or add fresh chile peppers. Scotch Bonnet peppers are typical in Jamaica. You could also use habenaro or serrano or jalapeno or whatever you prefer. You could also use tomatoes with chiles instead of plain tomatoes to turn up the heat a notch. Pickapeppa Sauce will also add a bit of heat (as well as tangy sweetness) to your beans.

Kari's Jamaica Me Crazy Beans (serves 4)

3 cups cooked Adzuki beans (from 1 cup dry)

Spice Mixture:
1 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/16 tsp ground cloves

1/4 cup water
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced (1 cup)
1 cup diced carrots
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp minced ginger
1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes
2 cups vegetable broth
salt, to taste
*Pickapeppa Sauce (optional)

Combine spices in small bowl and set aside.

In Dutch oven, saute onion, bell pepper, celery and carrot in 1/4 cup water for 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; saute 2 more minutes. Add spice mix and cook 1-2 minutes to toast spices.

Add tomatoes and vegetable broth. Simmer, covered, over low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Serve with Pickapeppa Sauce, if desired. Can be served with rice.

*Pickapeppa Sauce is a Jamaican condiment which contains tomatoes, onions, sugar, cane vinegar, mangoes, raisins, garlic, salt, peppers, thyme, and cloves. It comes in a small 5 ounce bottle with a parrot on the label.

Along with the beans, I served homemade bread. Isn't it pretty?

100% Whole Grain Brown Rice Bread

(Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day)

My very first loaf of artisan-style bread! Eldest daughter really liked it. I think maybe the dough could use a little sweetener.

Blueberry Snack Cake

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Not the best picture on the plate. The flash wouldn't work. It worked for the pan, though. Weird.

This cake is moist and loaded with blueberries. It's not too sweet. You could even eat it for breakfast. (I did this morning.) I think a cherry version would be nice, too.

Kari's Blueberry Snack Cake

6 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp flaxseed meal

1 banana, mashed
1/2 cup plain soy yogurt
1/2 cup So Delicious brand coconut milk beverage (or other non-dairy milk)
1/3 cup brown rice syrup
2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup oat bran
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup unbleached flour
1/4 cup turbinado sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda

2 cups blueberries
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Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray 9x9 pan with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, combine water and flaxseed meal and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine pastry flour, oat bran, wheat germ, unbleached flour, turbinado sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.

Combine mashed banana, yogurt, milk, brown rice syrup, and vanilla. Add flaxseed mixture to banana mixture. Stir with fork or whisk until well combined and smooth. Add liquid mixture to flour mixture. Stir until flour is moistened. Fold in blueberries. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes.

Serves 16.
Per serving: 128 calories, 1g fat, 150 mg sodium, 3g fiber, 3g protein