INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
Throw all ingredients together in a blender, blend and serve! Don't forget to top with pecans and Beanfields Grain Free Vegan Pumpkin Pie Cracklins!
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Ingredients:
Combine the burger crumbles, diced red onion, diced tomato and shredded cabbage and place onto your lettuce wraps. Add salt, pepper and dash of olive oil to taste.
Oh yes, and don't forget to pair with Beanfields Vegan Cracklins. We suggest our Spicy Nacho flavor... if you're up for some heat!
]]>If creating the prefect vegan cheese board has long been on your bucket list but you’re not sure where to even begin, it’s due time to give it a go. We made it easy with these simple tips that can make you a master of the craft.
How to Master the Cheese Board Craft
Crafting the perfect cheese board is all about balance and compatibility. You want the textures and tastes of the cheese to be both balanced by and compatible with the other goodies in the mix. You also want the perfect balance of different tastes, which can be easily aced with a straightforward formula that tells you how many different tastes to include.
You want to include:
That’s the top-level view of the magic formula. We get deeper into the details below.
Two Fruits
Choose fruits that blend beautifully with cheese, such as plump purple grapes and a crisp, tart apple. Notice both grapes and apples have firm textures that will add a burst of flavor to a helping of cheese.
Quick apple trick: If using sliced apple on your cheese board, sprinkle it with lemon juice so it doesn’t turn brown while it’s waiting to be eaten.
Three Savory Choices
Here’s where you’ll add your vegetables and nuts, both of which are amazing choices for a well-rounded cheese board. One of our top choices is always hummus, which can be combined with the chips and veggies with or without the addition of cheese. This makes your cheese board versatile enough to suit a wide variety of tastes, even those that may not indulge in cheese.
Since hummus takes care of one savory choice, you can fill the other two slots with hearty veggies or nuts that can hold their own. Radishes are an excellent choice for adding a tangy taste to the mix. Cucumbers are perfect for the hummus. Toasted walnuts add a classy touch, while olives are another big hit.
Four Chips
While this category technically includes chips, crackers and breads, we say go right for the Beanfields Bean Chips — and stay there. You have more than enough chip flavors to find four that align keenly with your cheese platter. Our all-time favorite cheese board chip is probably our straight-up Sea Salt Bean Chips, as they let the other flavors on the platter really shine.
Other good choices would be our Pico de Gallo Bean Chips for a sassy kick, our Black Bean & Sea Salt for a dramatic touch, and our Himalayan Pink Salt Bean Chips for a hearty, salty crunch.
Five Cheeses
When it comes to picking cheeses, the selection can feel overwhelming. That’s because it is. But don’t fret. There’s a formula for choosing the perfect cheeses, too. The trick is to go with:
The fifth one? Go crazy and pick whatever you wish.
Keep these tips in mind and your vegan cheese board will be over the top — and gobbled up in no time. You may want to keep a few extra bags of Beanfields Bean Chips on hand just to make sure you can keep the party going!
]]>In addition to heart-heathy spiced-up ground turkey, this delish dish features only a small handful of other ingredients. And best of all — besides the fact that it pairs perfectly with Beanfields — this Mexican turkey quinoa skillet is one of those one-skillet meals that keeps cleanup at a minimum and convenience at a maximum.
Turkey Quinoa Skillet Ingredients
Turkey Taco Quinoa Skillet Instructions
Preheat a dash of olive oil in a large skilled. Add chopped bell pepper and onion to the skillet, letting it cook for about two minutes.
Add ground turkey to the skillet, mixing in your taco seasoning. Cook for another five minutes or longer until turkey is cooked through.
Once turkey is fully cooked, mix in the drained corn, drained black beans and quinoa. Stir well so all ingredients are magnificently mingled.
Add the water, stir again, then bring everything to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, place a lid on the skillet, and let everything continue to simmer for about 20 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the quinoa is fluffy and fully cooked.
When the skillet ingredients are fully cooked, turn off the heat, remove the lid and add more seasoning as desired. You may want to put another tablespoon of the taco seasoning into the mix, along with any salt and pepper.
The grand finale is adding the cheese, as much as you wish, sprinkling it atop the mixture. Put the lid back on the skillet and let is sit for about five minutes so the cheese can melt.
Serve with sliced jalapeno peppers and cilantro sprinkled on top, with a side of Beanfields Bean Chips.
Enjoy!
]]>That’s because this version uses a curry yogurt dipping sauce you make yourself, along with amazing foodstuff just right for dipping. This includes squash, asparagus, snap peas, avocado, leafy greens and, of course, Beanfields Bean Chips, preferably the Himalayan Pink Salt flavor. Simply load up the chip with fixings, give it a dollop of curry yogurt dip, then enjoy the textures, tastes and crunch.
Curry Yogurt Dip Recipe
1/4 cup non-dairy yogurt
Combine the yogurt, coconut aminos and curry powder into a medium bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Add salt, pepper and dash of lemon juice to taste. Take it over the top by dabbling a bit of olive oil and sprinkling fresh dill on top.
Vegan Dipping Platter Fixings
The curry yogurt dip can be used straight up with Beanfields Bean Chips for a super-fast and easy snack. Or you can take the whole thing up a notch by including the variety of vegetables mentioned above. For best results, prep the veggies in advance by:
The leafy greens and Beanfields Bean Chips don’t need any prep, other than making sure the leafy greens are rinsed — and you don’t eat all the bean chips before the rest of the dipping stuff is ready for action.
How to Roast Delicata Squash
Wash the squash by giving it a good scrub with a brush. You want it clean since you’ll be eating the skin.
Cut off both ends of the squash, then cut lengthwise down the center.
Scoop out and discard the seeds.
Cut the squash into slices that resemble half-moons, with each slice about 1/4 inch thick.
Toss with olive oil, sprinkle on a bit of salt and pepper, then roast in oven preheated to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll know it’s done when the edges start to blacken.
How to Sauté Asparagus and Snap Peas
Prep asparagus by cutting off the bottom of the stalks. Bend a piece of asparagus to see where it snaps. That’s where you want to trim off the bottom. Discard the bottom of the stalks, cut the rest into 2 inch pieces.
Prepare snap peas by removing and discarding the stem and string from each pod.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add peas and asparagus, tossing throughout the 3 to 5 minutes they take to cook. You want both to be crisp tender, not over-cooked mush.
Arrange the roasted squash, sautéed asparagus and snap peas, leafy greens and avocado slices around the curry yogurt dip bowl on a plate. Add a dollop of olive oil and sprinkle of dill atop the veggies on the platter. Break out the Beanfields Bean Chips, add to plate, and start dipping and munching to your heart’s delight.
]]>They also make quite a striking statement when arranged artfully on a plate in the optimum Vegan Snack Bowl recipe. While the arrangement appears elaborate, it’s actually a simple vegan snack that tastes as amazing at it looks. While you can use any combination of crunchy, fresh veggies, fruits and Beanfields Bean Chips, we’ll give you a heads-up on the combination you see pictured here.
Vegan Snack Bowl Ingredients
Add together and enjoy!
]]>What You Need
Must-Have Boats:
Two medium to large zucchini
Protein Options:
Lentils cooked according to instructions on package
1 (8-ounce) package tempeh, crumbled
Additional Taco Filling Options:
Must-Have Toppings:
One bag Beanfields Bean Chips, flavor or your choice (try our Nacho flavor if you can’t decide)
Instructions for Vegan Zucchini Taco Boats
Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit so it’s ready for baking the zucchini boats when you are. Your next step is to cook your choice of protein. We included two options below.
To Use Lentils as Protein:
Cook lentils according to package directions, adding a tablespoon or two of taco seasoning to spice them up if you wish.
To Use Tempeh as Protein:
Tempeh can be sautéed with a batch of spices to give it some kick.
Ingredients for Tempeh Taco Filling
Add the tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet. Heat over a medium-high flame. Add the spices and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking for about one minute.
Add the tempeh, jalapeños and corn. Sauté for about five minutes or until they start to brown. Make sure you keep up the consistent stirring during this step.
Stir in the tomatoes and vegetable broth. Cook for another two minutes or so, until all the broth liquid is absorbed. Your tempeh is ready to use in your vegan zucchini taco boats.
To Fill and Bake the Zucchini Boats
Slice the whole zucchini in half-lengthwise, scooping out and discarding the insides. Feel free to use the insides if you wish. One idea is to sauté them with garlic for snack or side dish.
Place zucchini halves on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Scoop one-quarter of your protein mixture into each zucchini boat. If you’re using cheese, now’s a good time to add it so it melts while in the oven. Otherwise, feel free to skip it.
Put filled vegan zucchini boats into the oven, baking for about 15 minutes or until their tops are nice and browned. Once they’re out of the oven, it’s time to add the toppings.
Grab the Beanfields Bean Chips, break into pieces, and sprinkle atop the zucchini taco boats. Add other desired toppings. Kick back and enjoy!
]]>Now that you’ve grown up and (hopefully) matured a little bit, it’s time to turn that childhood favorite into something fitting for an adult. Thankfully, we have the perfect recipe for that.
BBQ Crusted Chicken Tenders
Barbecue chicken is delicious. Chicken tenders are delicious. So, it only makes sense that putting the two together would be, well, delicious. Putting crusted chicken in BBQ sauce might make it soggy and cause it to lose its crunch, though. That’s where our chicken tenders crusted in BBQ chips come in to save the day.
This twist on chicken tenders is sure to make you (and any future children) happy. It’s easy to make, full of flavor and healthier than regular ol’ chicken strips. What’s not to like?
What you’ll need for this recipe is organic chicken breasts cut into strips, flax seeds, an egg, and crushed Beanfield’s Barbecue Bean Chips. That’s it. Putting it together is pretty simple, too. You just dip the chicken in the flax, then the egg and then coat it with the crushed chips. After that, all you need to do is bake at 375 for around 22 minutes or until cooked through on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Pair these chicken tenders with some roasted sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli for a healthy, gluten-free meal everyone will love.
Why Use a Bean Chip Coating?
Beans are full of nutrients, such as protein and fiber. However, most people don’t want to just sit down to a bowl of beans. At least, we sure don’t. And that’s why Beanfields chips are so awesome. They take all the health benefits of beans and turn them into a tasty, crunchy chip. And these chips can be used for so much more than just snacking.
Crushed Beanfields chips are great when used as a crusty coating. From chicken tenders to cauliflower, they add tons of flavor and crunch to all your favorite foods while giving you a healthier option compared to other coatings like breadcrumbs.
Traditional chicken tenders are made with a flour-based breadcrumb coating, which ends up being full of carbs and lacks nutritional value. Using Beanfields chips as a coating changes that by giving you a healthy, non-GMO and gluten-free alternative that will leave your stomach feeling full and happy.
Plus, breadcrumbs tend to only come in one or two flavors, like plain and Italian. Beanfields chips, on the other hand, come in a variety of flavors that will satisfy and taste cravings you might have. From Nacho to Jalapeño Lime, there’s a flavor for you.
Next time you’re considering a breadcrumb coating on your chicken, put away the panko and pick up a bag of Beanfields chips instead.
]]>Is there a way to make a healthier, filling snack without losing the spicy crunchy taste of a jalapeño popper?
Broccoli Jalapeño Poppers
Broccoli jalapeño poppers are the perfect alternative to one of your favorite fried snacks. Florets of broccoli coated in crisp jalapeño bean chip crust will take care of your spicy food craving while giving you the health benefits of beans and broccoli.
You might be skeptical of the broccoli part of these jalapeño poppers, but we promise this broccoli isn’t like any you’ve had before. It’s crispy, spicy and full of flavor. You won’t even be able to tell you’re eating broccoli.
Now that we’ve hyped this delightful snack up so much, you’re probably wondering how to make broccoli jalapeño poppers yourself. We’ve got a super easy recipe for you to follow, so your kitchen will be poppin’ with these broccoli jalapeño poppers in no time.
At Beanfields, we like to keep things simple, especially when it comes to recipes. This recipe only requires you to have three ingredients: broccoli, olive oil, and our Nacho Jalapeño chips.
Break your broccoli up into pieces small enough to pop into your mouth, toss it in a bit of olive oil and coat in our artisanal flavored bean chips. Then bake them in the oven at 375 for around 40 minutes. That’s it. Simple, easy and quick to make, and you can adjust the cooking time to your preferred level of crispness.
The Perfect Appetizer
Once you’ve had these broccoli jalapeño poppers, you’ll want to make them every chance you get. You might want to keep them all to yourself, but they’re also good for sharing. They’re a great snack for your next potluck or poker night and the perfect appetizer for your next dinner party. Your friends, family and coworkers are sure to love these little pieces of spicy heaven just as much as you do.
Plus, they’re great for anyone with special diets or allergies. Broccoli jalapeño poppers are keto-friendly and gluten-free, which makes them an easy option for some of the harder diets to adhere to.
Beanfields Bean Chips
You already know that broccoli is good for you, but did you know chips can be good for you, too? Beanfields chips are made from beans, which are full of important nutrients like fiber and protein. We wanted to make snacking healthier without sacrificing the taste of traditional snack foods. That’s why we made Beanfields. They give you all the flavor and crunch of your run of the mill chips while not harming your health.
You could technically make these broccoli jalapeño poppers with regular jalapeño potato chips, but you won’t get the health benefits of beans or the superior taste and quality of Beanfields’ ingredients.
]]>All the cheese in queso can make it not so great for those who are trying to make healthier choices, are vegan or are allergic to dairy products. The good news is there are plenty of ways to make vegan queso, which is healthier and free of animal products. And we’ve got some great tips on how to make vegan queso even better.
Finding the Right Base
Vegan queso is a healthier twist on a classic Sunday night football dip, and you can easily make it at home instead of buying a jar of super processed cheese from the store.
To start, you’re going to want to find the right vegan queso recipe for you. Most of them call for cashews, which can cause some issues if you have a nut allergy or just aren’t a big fan of the nut. Luckily, there are some vegan queso recipes out there that don’t use cashews or other nuts.
One of our favorite recipes comes from the Minimalist Baker and uses broiled eggplant to make a creamy, spicy vegan queso. It’s super easy to make and all you need is eggplant, some spices, almond milk and salsa. Best of all, you and your friends won’t even be able to tell it’s vegan, and it will quickly become one of your favorite snack dips.
Changing the Queso Game
Once you’ve got your vegan queso base figured out, it’s time to up the ante with some extra toppings and spices. Add some corn, paprika, cilantro (unless you are cursed with the gene that makes it taste like soap) and some smoked vegan cheese. This will take your vegan queso to the next level and give it a nice smoky flavor. You can get even more smoky goodness if you use smoked paprika instead of regular.
Now that you’ve got your upgraded queso in hand, you need a way to eat it. Before you go reaching for that bag of tortilla chips, we suggest giving Beanfields bean chips a try. Our Jalapeño Nacho chips are a great choice to add some more spice to your queso. Or you can try our Cheddar Sour Cream chips (which are still vegan) to bring some more cheesy goodness to your snack.
Why Bean Chips?
You might be giving us the side-eye at our mention of bean chips. You’re probably thinking your favorite tortilla chips are the best choice for your vegan queso eating adventure, but most tortilla chips are lacking in extra flavor and nutrients.
Bean chips, on the other hand, come with nutrients such as fiber, protein and potassium. These aren’t something you’ll find in your corn chips. Tortilla chips are usually just salted without any flavor, and you can eat a whole bag and still feel hungry after. Beanfields chips come in a wide range of flavors, so you’ll be able to satisfy all your flavor cravings while making sure your hunger cravings are also sated.
When you’ve made the best vegan queso, it only makes sense to pair it with the best chips. Throw out the tortilla chips and pick up a bag of Beanfields instead.
]]>Meat and fish can be a good source of protein, but there are also plenty of plant-based alternatives out there. One of the best ways to get your protein without eating meat is through beans. But we all know when you eat beans straight from a can or rehydrated from a bag, they can be lacking flavor. With Beanfields, that’s no longer an issue. Our non-GMO bean chips are a flavorful snack that gives you all the health benefits of beans without missing out on the flavor of traditional chips.
Meatless Power Bowl Ideas
Meatless power bowls are a perfect lunch or dinner for Meatless Mondays, but where do you begin when putting one together? One of our favorite meatless super bowl recipes includes some cooked veggies, an egg and, of course, Beanfields chips.
You can always pick your favorite veggies when creating a meatless power bowl, but we have some suggestions. For a power bowl that packs in a lot of flavor and nutrients, begin with a nice bed of baby kale. If you’re not a big kale fan (and we wouldn’t blame you if you aren’t), baby spinach is a great substitution. Popeye wasn’t eating all that spinach just for the fun of it.
On top of the kale or spinach, layer some roasted carrots and bell peppers (for both flavor and a good pop of color), steamed broccoli and a crispy fried egg. Leave the egg over medium to get a nice oozy yolk over your bowl. For an extra crunch and burst of flavor, add a handful of Beanfields Pico De Gallo chips. A squeeze of fresh lime as the final touch will give this bowl some citrusy zest.
Some other awesome meatless power bowl ingredients are quinoa, avocado, sweet potatoes, corn, and tomatoes. Mix and match ingredients until you’ve created the perfect power bowl for you. Just don’t forget the Beanfields chips!
Pro tip: Prep your ingredients ahead of time so all you have to do is reheat them. This will make mealtime easier and leave more time for enjoying your evening and your food.
Adding Beanfields Chips
Add Beanfields chips to all your favorite meatless power bowl recipes. As we mentioned earlier, beans are a great source of protein, fiber and potassium. Including them in your power bowls gives you get a good dose of protein while adding a delightfully crisp crunch.
Beanfields chips are also covered in artisanal seasonings, so instead of carrying around or purchasing a bunch of spices, use our chips to make your power bowls more flavorful. We suggest giving our Himalayan Pink Salt chips a try. Pair different chips with different recipes and let us know what ends up being your favorite.]]>But while chicken and waffles might be delicious, they aren’t exactly healthy or vegan-friendly. So, what should you do to make this meal healthy while still being able to enjoy it? Replace the greasy chicken with tastebud pleasing crusted cauliflower.
Making Crusted Cauliflower
Being healthy doesn’t have to be boring. Though it might resemble albino broccoli and look pretty bland, cauliflower can be a flavorful and fun snack. Especially when you add a tasty, crispy bean chip coating to it.
There are plenty of crusted cauliflower recipes out there, and some of them can get pretty complicated. Lucky for you, we know a simple recipe for crusted cauliflower that will leave you wondering why you ever bothered with chicken in the first place.
You only need three ingredients: flour, a bag of Beanfields chips, and cauliflower. (We told you it was simple.) If you’ve ever made fried anything, you know what comes next.
With one hand, take your cauliflower and cover it in flour. Then, use your other hand (got to keep things clean) to dredge the cauliflower in flax egg. Return the cauliflower to your dry ingredients hand and coat it with Beanfields chips.
Once your cauliflower is nice and fully covered, it’s time to fry until crisp. Use an air fryer to keep things healthy.
Using Beanfields Chips
Most crusted cauliflower recipes will tell you to use breadcrumbs in your coating. Why didn’t we? Because Beanfields chips offer more benefits and taste way better than a breadcrumb coating.
Beanfields chips are made from, you guessed it, beans. This means our chips help satisfy your taste and hunger cravings. While a breadcrumb coating is full of carbs and lacking in nutrients, a Beanfields coating gives you tons of fiber, protein and potassium.
Plus, there’s only so much you can add to a breadcrumb coating to up its flavor game. Made with artisanal seasoning, Beanfields lets you get a little more creative with your flavors. For example, if you want your crusted cauliflower to be on the spicy side, all you need to do is coat it in our Jalapeño Nacho chips for an added kick. Or maybe you’re looking for something a little cheesy, in which case our Cheddar Sour Cream (still vegan) chips would do the job.
Crusted Cauliflower and Waffles
Cauliflower is a guilt-free, vegan, healthy and delicious alternative to the fried chicken part of chicken and waffles. Even if you aren’t vegan, it’s a great way to cut back on your meat consumption (Meatless Monday, anyone?) and pick up a healthy snacking habit.
Once you’ve made your crusted cauliflower with Beanfields chips, plate it with your favorite waffles and maple syrup for a southern comfort food that’s easy on the waistline and your conscience.
]]>But wait! We didn't give you the full rundown on why this dip takes the proverbial cake. The main ingredient of avocado brings on a bevy of benefits you won't want to miss.
Avocados are Packed with Nutrients
When it comes to listing all the nutrients found in avocados, the list goes on and on. The sensational fruit contains an array of 20 minerals and vitamins, with the most prominent including:
In smaller amounts, you'll also find:
And it's not done yet. Healthy fats, protein and fiber are also on the list. All this with 160 calories per 3.5-ounce serving. Nice.
Avocados Provide Heart-Healthy Fats
More than three-quarters of the calories in avocado come from fat, but it's not just any fat. The bulk of the fat in avocado is the "good fat," like the kind found in olive oil. The official name of this good fat is oleic acid, and it's a monounsaturated fatty acid - not the evil trans fat. Oleic acid has not only been credited with reducing inflammation, but it has also been shown to have a positive impact on genes associated with cancer.
Avocados Have Loads of Fiber
Fiber has a fantastic reputation, and with very good reason. Fiber can help with weight loss and keeping blood sugar levels stable. It's also been linked to a decreased risk of numerous diseases. About one-quarter of the fiber found in avocados is soluble, which is the type of fiber required to feed the good bacteria in your gut.
Avocados Serve up Antioxidants
You're certainly familiar with antioxidants, those oh-so-powerful substances known for decreasing or even preventing cell damage from free radicals. Avocados give you an antioxidant boost in two distinct ways. One is by helping your body absorb antioxidants provided by other foods. The other is providing you with its own lineup of antioxidants.
The antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin are both found in avocados, and both are crucial for eye health. These two carotenoids can significantly decrease the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.
Creamy Avocado Dip
This creamy avocado dip is vegan, gluten-free and totally dreamy atop Beanfields bean chips. It packs the powerful nutritional punch of avocados, to boot.
What You Need
What You Do
Is Spicy Food Good for You?
In a nutshell, yes. Spicy foods pack a savory punch. But that's not the only reason they rock. Spices are well-known for bringing on a host of body benefits. This counts with the super-hot spice from things like chili peppers, which contains a compound called of capsaicin. And it also works with milder spices. Ginger, garlic, cumin, turmeric and even cinnamon come with advantages, as does our good friend jalapeno.
Spicy Foods Help You Live Longer
If you eat a spicy food just once a day, you can actually end up living longer. One study found that eating one spicy food at least six days a week decreased mortality rates by 14 percent. The study was conducted by Harvard in conjunction with China's National Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Spices Reduce Inflammation (and Headaches)
Inflammation tends to crop up with conditions like arthritis and autoimmune disorders. But some spices can knock that inflammation back down. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which is well-known for its ability to soothe inflammation. So are garlic and ginger, which can also help with nausea and headaches.
Spices Speed up Metabolism
If you're looking to feel satisfied on less calories, or burn more calories in general, spicy food is at your services. The capsaicin in chili peppers is again well-known for this trick-and another one. Not only can it boost your calorie burn, but it can also selectively destroy certain nerve fibers that send info from your gut to your brain. Additional weight-loss benefits of spicy foods include:
Chili peppers may lead the pack with these benefits, but you can also reap them from spices like turmeric, cumin and jalapenos and other peppers.
Spicy Foods Can Make YOU Hotter
While spicy foods do indeed create heat in your body, that's not what we're talking about. We mean heat in the bedroom. Yep, that's right. Spicy foods can increase your libido, acting as a natural aphrodisiac. A study in "Food Research International" discovered the combination of saffron and ginseng enhanced sexual performance. While we didn't get word on the impact of other spices on libido, it doesn't hurt to give it a try.
Healthy Jalapeno Nacho Chicken Tenders
Whip up our healthy jalapeno nacho chicken tenders for a romantic dinner for two. Feel free to thank us later.
What You Need
What You Do
What's So Bad about Fried Foods?
Several things are bad about fried foods, but taste isn't usually one of them. That's what makes them so dangerous. We often give in to the craving despite the bad-for-you cautions. While there's nothing wrong with a little fried food now and then, eating it regularly is not something you want to put on your bucket list.
That's because fried foods are typically associated with:
Fried foods in fast-food restaurants may be even more hazardous to your health, as they tend to use hydrogenated oils that are high in trans fats. For the record, trans fats are known for raising "bad" cholesterol levels, contributing to heart disease and lowering "good" cholesterol levels. But fast food joints still opt for hydrogenated oils because they give food that satisfying crunch and taste.
Why Baked is Better
Baking beats out frying because it doesn't need unhealthy fats to make things crisp and delicious. Rather than sopping up tons of hydrogenated oil, baked food cooks using dry heat and the steam that rises from the moisture from the food. You still get a tasty, crisp treat, but without all the junk to gunk up your body.
Alternative for Flour Coating
Since we're already on a healthy path with our baked green tomatoes recipe, it only makes sense to make one more move that makes the dish healthier still. Get rid of the typical white flour coating. Eating too much white flour is also known for increasing "bad" cholesterol levels, which can then lead to a load of fun things like weight gain, high blood pressure and mood swings. It can also contribute to conditions like fatty liver. Not good.
The Healthy 'Fried' Green Tomatoes Substitute
Now that you have the skinny on the fat and other issues with the traditional fried green tomatoes recipe, you're going to love the healthy alternative.
Healthy 'Fried' Green Tomatoes
We use Beanfields chips for a flavorful, healthy coating, and baking to create the must-have crispy finish.
What You Need
3 green tomatoes, firm
1 bag Beanfields Pico de Gallo chips
1 egg
What You Do
Unless you're planning a barbecue with fresh-picked corn on the cob, corn rarely gets people excited. It's not like we're discussing, say, green smoothies or acai berries. We're talking corn.
Yet our Mexican Street Corn Dip recipe has every right to get everyone excited, and not just because of the amazing taste. Not because you can slather this delectable dip all over Beanfields bean chips, either (although that is a huge perk!). But because corn is superb in its own right, thanks to the bounty of benefits it brings. Ready?
Corn Fends off Anemia
Vitamin B12, iron and folic acid are main components in corn, and all three help your red blood cells thrive. Your body gets enough of the nutrients it needs to keep creating fresh red blood cells in droves. With all those healthy red blood cells swirling about, your risk of anemia is dramatically reduced.
Corn Enhances Your Energy
Corn usually gets lumped in with vegetables, but it's actually a grain. It also contains complex carbohydrates, which digests more slowly than other types of carbs. The slower digestive process keeps your energy levels sustained for a longer period.
Corn Helps Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Levels
Another big benefit of corn is its high fiber content, which is particularly handy for lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels. The grain likewise increases blood flow while regulating insulin and decreasing cholesterol absorption.
Corn Keeps Skin Healthy
No, you don't have to swipe pureed corn all over your face to get the skin benefits. You simply have to include corn as a regular part of your diet. Corn comes packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, which can do wonderful things for your skin. Top benefits include boosting collagen production and stopping UV-generated free radicals from wreaking skin-related havoc.
And guess what? You can put it directly on your skin if you want. Corn starch and corn oil are actually used as ingredients in some skin products.
Benefits from Other Recipe Ingredients
Although corn has decidedly taken center stage here, it's not the only healthy thing going on in our Mexican Street Corn Dip recipe. The chili powder, jalapeno and garlic add spice that can help you lose weight and feel full on fewer calories. Ghee is the healthy alternative to plain old butter for those who have issues with dairy.
Greek yogurt brings on calcium for healthy bones and good bacteria for a healthy gut. Feta cheese is lower and calories and fat than most other cheeses. It also provides a perfectly dreamy texture that enhances everything it touches. And the Beanfields non-GMO bean chips that carry the dip? They are the ultimate king of healthy snacks.
Healthy Mexican Street Corn Dip
What You Need
What You Do
After searching through tons of recipes-and going through tons of avocados-we finally landed on a guacamole recipe that lives up to our standards. And what's our standard? Being the best, of course!
We particularly like this guacamole dip because it's easy, uses a few simple ingredients, and is packed with a flavorful punch. That flavor is enhanced by the zillions when you enjoy the dip atop Beanfields non-GMO bean chips. Because guacamole is so versatile, just about any flavor bean chip will do. You can add a dash of spicy, cheesy, salty or even barbecue-ey to your guacamole, depending on the chip you choose.
Now that you know the best way to eat the guacamole, we have a few other handy tips to ensure you make the best dip, ever.
Picking the Best Avocados
Avocados need to be ripe for the dip to work, and you can check for ripeness by gently squeezing them. The best avocados will be firm but give in to a teeny bit of pressure. If the fruit is soft to the touch, it's probably too ripe. Those that don't give in at all are probably not ripe enough, which means you'll have to wait to make your dip.
Speeding up the Ripening Process
If you're stuck with not-ripe-enough avocados, you can speed up the ripening process a bit by putting them in a brown paper bag. Seal the bag and leave it on the counter, checking back for ripeness periodically. If brown spots appear, cut them out immediately. They can make the entire fruit turn brown.
Why You Want to Mash by Hand
There are two main reasons you want to mash guacamole by hand instead of in the food processor. The first involves the texture. The best guacamole has larger chunks of the fruit mingled to add interest and bursts of avocado taste. You won't get those chunks with a food processor.
The second involves the cleaning. Have you ever tried to clean a food processor used to blend up avocado? It's not fun. Save yourself the headache. Use a fork to mash it instead.
The Best Homemade Guacamole
The health benefits of guacamole are just as great as the taste. Avocados are packed with nutrients, fiber and healthy fat that make your body happy. And when you choose Beanfields bean chips for the base, you're extending the healthiness even further. Beans are high in fiber, protein, potassium-and taste!
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