Stretchy Beans-- Black Beans

So I really LOVED this idea of "Stretchy Beans" and so-- I decided to go for it-- and for week one (our menu runs Thursday-Thursday) we will be doing BLACK beans.

I wasn't sure I had enough black bean recipes so I just checked my favorite blogs and found 4-5 I think look GREAT-- and wa-la--

So these are the black bean meals on the menu for THIS week:

1- Black bean chili (2x days)
2- Black bean Soup
3- Chicken Enchiladas crock pot version OF COURSE :)
4- Zucchini, Carrott and Black bean Quesdillas
5- Black Bean and Egg Burritos
6- Veggie Burrito Bake

So with the above main meals (and leftovers I'm sure) my menu planning was a snap!!


Plus we have a schedule for breakfasts-

Every Monday we have: Oatmeal
Every Tuesday we have: egg dish
Every Wednesday we have: Oatmeal
Every Thursday we have: Egg sandwich
Every Friday we have: Granola
Every Saturday we have: Omlets
Every Sunday we have: Meat and egg


Back the be beans-- so what I did today was make 14 Cups of black beans!!
Yep--

I had Joshua bring up the BIG bucket of beans:

Then Rebekah and I put them in to pots to soak with some Apple Cider Vinegar

Here is a great blog article on HOW and WHY to soak dry beans---

Gotta say-- I totally forgot that: •1 cup dry black beans —–> yields 3-1/2 cups when cooked !! Yes-- I have a TON of beans!!! (luckily they freeze well-- so when the NEXT black bean week comes-- I'll be ready!! LOL)

10 hours later we put them on the stove to simmer for 1-2 hours....

Then we will drain them and put them in the fridge so I am READY at a moments notice to USE these BEANS!!!

Oh and I also put a chicken in the crockpot-- so I will have chicken meat and chicken stock-- ready to go through out the week as well..

One day with a little effort -- SHOULD produce a week of WONDERFUL Nourishing FOOD!!!

I think Lentils will be NEXT week!!