Legumes are very healthy. They are full of protein (per 100 grams as much protein as 100 grams of meat), many vitamins B, iron and carbohydrates. Moreover, there is hardly any fat in them and because of the many dietary fibers they quickly give you a full feeling. That is why legumes are not fattening.
Legumes: versatile
Legumes (capuchins, kidney beans, lentils) are not only very nutritious, they are also very versatile. You can come up with countless variations with it. Some ideas are:
- Lentil dish with beef finches;
- Mediterranean chickpea soup;
- Tagliatelle with fava beans and olives;
- Red beans with goat cheese, bell pepper and spring onion;
- Capuchins with apple relish;
- Variegated bean salad.
Some seeds of legumes
Sometimes we eat the whole legume (green beans), sometimes just the seeds (kidney beans). Below a few of those legumes under the microscope.
Butter beans
These are large white beans, which taste sweeter and spicier than the regular white bean. In Italy, the butter bean is often used in salads.
White beans
White beans are slightly firmer than kidney beans, but their taste is almost identical.
Kidney beans
This has been the most eaten legume in the Netherlands for centuries. They cook easily and are therefore ideal in a meal soup.
Chickpeas
These legumes are also called Spanish peas or chick peas. They have an irregular shape, a light brown color and taste a bit nutty. This makes chickpeas look a bit like hazelnuts. They stay firm during cooking.
Capuchins
Capuchins belong to the old Dutch legumes. Fresh capuchins are fuller and sweeter in taste than dried ones. Dried capuchins are light to dark brown in color.
Lentils
Lentils are available in brown, green and red. The brown lentils have the most spicy taste. Because the outer skin of the red lentils has been removed, the cooking time is shorter than that of the brown and green lentils.
Red beans
Red beans have a characteristic kidney shape. That is why in England these beans are called ‘kidney beans’. Red beans are widely used in Mexican cuisine. They have a somewhat sweet taste. We also sometimes mention red beans Chili beans. but those are Kidney beans in chili sauce.