Weeknight-Friendly Ways to Eat More Beans and Grains

Plus, what does the word "heirloom" really mean?  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [START FREE TRIAL]( or [LOG IN]( [America's Test Kitchen: Notes from the Test Kitchen]( [America's Test Kitchen: Notes from the Test Kitchen](  [FIND RECIPES ›]( February 16, 2024  [A collection of recipes from this newsletter]( [A collection of recipes from this newsletter]( What’s New at ATK  [Heirloom Tomatoes]( What Does the Word “Heirloom” Really Mean? We talked to an expert to learn more about [the true meaning of heirloom foods. →]( 9 Ways to Cook with Beer Beer is a surprisingly versatile ingredient that brings depth, lift, and flavor to all sorts of recipes.[Here are nine ways to cook with beer. →](  A Note From Our Test Cooks  [Cheesy Bean and Tomato Bake; Camila Chaparro's Headshot]( Weeknight-Friendly Ways to Eat More Beans and Grains Camila Chaparro, Senior Editor, Books It’s a month into the new year, and after the break of the holiday season, we are back to our regular busy weeknight schedule. Perhaps, like me, you have a few cooking goals this year. In 2024, I’ve resolved to cook and eat more whole grains and beans, because of their [significant health benefits](. But, perhaps, also like me, you know how challenging it can be to keep those goals when life (and especially dinnertime) gets hectic. So here are a few strategies I’ll be using to make beans and grains a more frequent, nutritious, and delicious addition to my plate this year. Canned beans are a weeknight lifesaver, and several of my family’s favorite dishes start by grabbing the can opener and perusing the pantry. With a couple cans of chickpeas, I can make a hearty pot of [Pasta e Ceci (Pasta with Chickpeas)]( perfect for a cold night, or a fragrant bowl of [Chana Masala](. This winter, I can’t wait to try [Cheesy Bean and Tomato Bake]( a cannellini bean cousin of chicken Parm. If I have little time to spare but lots of leftover odds and ends to use, infinitely customizable [grain bowls]( are my go-to. Any cooked grain that I have on hand will work, topped with any type of protein, and whatever tidbits I have in the fridge: some fresh or quick-cooked veggies, pickles for acidity, shredded cheese or a dollop of yogurt for richness, a sprinkle of herbs for freshness, and a few toasted nuts for crunch. (For a less ad hoc approach, try our [Vegan Brown Rice Burrito Bowls]( or [Bulgur with Roasted Vegetables, White Beans, and Arugula Salad]( And when even my favorites feel a little repetitive, I’ll look for inspiration in our newly released [The Complete Beans and Grain Cookbook](. A few quick-cooking ingredients that we worked with during recipe development include fonio, a relative of millet, which is great in pilafs (like this [Joloff-Inspired Fonio]( and red lentils, which become a surprisingly delicious [taco]( filling. And as we inch towards spring, I know I’ll be looking for fresh and bright flavors such as this [Vegan Quinoa, Black Bean, and Mango Salad with Lime Dressing](. So, resolutions or not, grab a copy of Complete Beans and Grains and get more beans and grains into your cooking this year! Members get every recipe, review, and video. Get instant access to everything from the most trusted cooking experts. [Start your 2-week free trial](. Make the Most of Canned Beans [Pasta e Ceci (Pasta with Chickpeas) →]( [Chana Masala →]( [Cheesy Bean and Tomato Bake →]( Great Grain Bowls [Vegan Brown Rice Burrito Bowl →]( [Bulgur with Roasted Vegetables, White Beans, and Arugula Salad →]( [Hearty Grain and Vegetable Bowls with Goat Cheese →]( [For layout only] Fresh Picks for You [Spanish Migas with Fried Eggs →]( [Carrot Layer Cake →]( [Everything Bagel Pigs in Blankets →](  [The Complete Beans and Grains Cookbook. Featured Recipe: Crispy Lentil and Herb Salad.]( The Complete Beans and Grains Cookbook 450+ failproof, irresistible recipes that transform brilliant beans & glorious grains into craveworthy mains and scene-stealing sides. [Order Now →](  [Fried Shallots]( From Our Online Cooking School How to Add Crunch to Bowls Crispy fried shallots add savory flavor and crunch to all types of bowls. Pick your method—on the stovetop or in the microwave—and try some! 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