Great Northern Bean Recipes

Great Northern beans are delicate in flavor. They are sometimes called white beans, although they are cream in color. They are similar in shape to the lima beans, but are a little smaller in shape. They are available in different versions, canned as well as dried.

They can be used as a substitute for navy beans or cannellini beans. These beans may not have a great taste, but they are good at absorbing flavor. They easily absorb the flavor of spices or herbs used while cooking. There are a lot of recipes, which can be made using them. They are extremely nutritious. It has 14.7 grams of proteins in one cup and 12.4 grams of dietary fiber. They are a good source of iron, magnesium, and folate. One cup supplies 200 calories.

There is always a dilemma of using dried or canned beans. If you buy dry ones, you will have to soak them in water before you can use them. There are a number of different methods which you can use to soak them. These methods help to eliminate the agents which cause acidity. The shortest method is to buy canned products.

This soup is easy to make and is made with tomato sauce, potatoes, carrots, onions, and diced ham.

Ingredients

• Great northern beans (soaked overnight, drained), 8 oz.
• Water, 4 cups

• Tomato sauce, 2 (8 oz.) cans
• Seasoned salt and pepper to taste
• Potatoes (diced), 2
• Carrots (shredded), 2
• Small onions (chopped), 2
• Diced ham, 1 cup

Method

• In a pan, cover beans with freshwater and bring them to a boil.
• Reduce heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes. Drain the water and keep it aside.

• Mix it with tomato sauce, diced potatoes, carrots, onions, and diced ham in a crock pot.
• Add salt and pepper seasoning and stir.
• Cook the soup on low heat for 8 to 10 minutes and adjust the seasonings before you serve. This soup can serve 4 people.

Ingredients

• Great northern beans, 16 oz.
• Chicken broth, 30 oz.
• Diced tomatoes with green chilies, 15 oz.
• White onion, 1 large
• Cooking oil, 1 tbsp.
• Smoked pork, 6 oz.
• Salt ¾ tsp.
• Black Pepper, 1 tsp.
• Water, 48 oz.

Method

• Soak the beans in cold water overnight. Ensure that there is twice as much water as beans, so that they have space to swell up.
• In a large cooking pot, pour cooking oil and toss the smoked pork pieces. Stir well and let the pieces sizzle over medium heat for 5 or 6 minutes, till they become brown in color.

• Then add about 4 oz. of the chicken broth to the pan and let it simmer for a minute.
• Then add onions to the pan. Simmer until the onions are tender.
• Rinse the beans in freshwater and add them to the pork mixture. Add all the remaining ingredients in water.

• Bring it to boil. Cover and let it cook over low heat until it is tender, stirring occasionally.
• Serve this dish either with cornbread, fried potatoes, or eggs.

These are also good for people who are on a diet or follow a vegan diet. If you suffer from acidity, then it is recommended that you soak the beans in warm water, so that the acidic elements are removed.