Spicy rice with chickpeas
Recipe by:
Maggie Pannell
This lightly curried rice dish makes a simple yet satisfying vegetarian meal, with the chickpeas providing valuable protein. Serve with a yoghurt raita and mango chutney. A fresh, green, baby spinach leaf salad would also make a good accompaniment.
Curried lentils
Recipe by:
Maggie Pannell
Nourishing lentils are great value and very good for you. The warm spices and rich coconut milk combine to create an intoxicatingly flavoured dish.
Baked bean soup
Recipe by:
Jan Cutler
Try this quick idea for an easy, nutritious, bean-based meal that the whole family will love.
Fennel, flageolet and mushroom goulash
Recipe by:
Jan Cutler
This spicy stew is simple to make with canned tomatoes and flageolet beans. Try serving with thick plain yoghurt and crusty bread or boiled rice for a complete meal.
Mixed bean chilli soup
Recipe by:
Maggie Pannell
This heart-warming soup is perfect for a chilly evening. It's packed full of vegetables and mixed pulses, making it an excellent source of fibre. Enjoy it with some crusty French bread to mop up the delicious liquid.
Cauliflower and lentil curry
Recipe by:
Maggie Pannell
A staple dish in Indian cuisine, this vegetarian ‘dhal’ with vegetables is enriched with coconut milk, giving it an exotic, enticing flavour. Serve with rice, warm naan or chappatis.
Lentil stew with browned onions
Recipe by:
Maggie Pannell
A comforting and nutritious vegetarian main course served topped with succulent, lightly caramelised onions.
Brazilian Black Bean Stew
Recipe by:
CRVGRL
The meat can be omitted without compromising the dish. Serve hot with crusty bread and a nice spinach salad.
American-style Pork and beans
Recipe by:
Azmina Govindji
This is a dish from the Eastern seaboard of America, where the pork and beans are traditionally simmered slowly in an earthenware casserole. It is the kind of dish that you can prepare ahead and leave to bubble away while you tend to other things. Baked jacket potatoes and crusty bread are perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
Sausages with Puy lentils
Recipe by:
Maggie Pannell
Meaty sausages are simple to cook, succulent and juicy, and when combined with diced vegetables and tender Puy lentils they make a hearty meal with a healthy balance of nutrients.
Country cassoulet
Recipe by:
Maggie Pannell
Inspired by the classic French dish, this version is lighter and less extravagant. It combines chunky sausages, bacon and beans with the traditional garlic and herb crust.
Gammon pot roast with beans
Recipe by:
Maggie Pannell
Gammon, slow-cooked with haricot beans, and served with crusty bread and greens, makes a lovely weekend lunch.
Bacon and Bean Stew
Recipe by:
Jan Cutler
Butternut squash, green beans and sweetcorn make a superb combination in this fast and tasty stew, based on a Native American dish. Serve with crusty bread.
Cassoulet of cannellini beans, duck and Toulouse sausage
Recipe by:
Jan Cutler
A traditional French cassoulet would take several hours to cook, but you can make this shortcut version using canned beans and succulent, quick-browned duck breasts, then leave it to bubble on the hob. Serve with crusty garlic bread and steamed Savoy cabbage.
Chickpea and bacon soup
Recipe by:
Jan Cutler
Keep your kitchen stocked with bacon, passata and chickpeas for this warm, comforting soup.
Chorizo and bean hotpot
Recipe by:
Jan Cutler
A warm casserole of sausages, baked beans and vegetables makes a hearty, satisfying meal on a chilly evening.
Sausage Bean Feast
This is a lovely quick recipe that is great for kids and adults, its really tasty too!
Sausage, bean and cheese casserole
This was a staple recipe in my late teens/early twenties and I still use it now if I want to make an easy throw-together tea for lots of people which is filling and cheap!
Slow Cooker Lentil and Sausage Stew
Recipe by:
SORSHA24
A hearty slow cooker meal that is simple to make and satisfying to eat, especially on a cold day! Top each bowl with some grated Parmesan and serve with warm, crusty bread, if desired.
Sam's Portuguese-style pork and chorizo stew
I use my cataplana to cook this dish, however, you can achieve the same results in a casserole dish. Wonderful and warming stew made with pork, chorizo, tomato and butter beans. Serve with crusty bread to mop up the juices.