What are the great northern beans?
Great northern beans are a type of white bean, which is very popular throughout North America. They usually have a delicate taste and are somewhat small, which makes them ideal accessories of soups, steamed meat and saucepan. Many cooks will also prepare them on their own as a spicy side dish. Although Great Northerns are their own independent type of legumes, they share many characteristics with other white beans such as Cannellini and naval beans, and can often be used interchangeably.
Basic characteristics
Like most white beans, Great Northerns is one of the phaseolus vulgaris . They are particularly distinguished by their small size and even color of the cream, although the leaves and stems of the plant also give some traces. Large northern beans are usually high and warm, with round flat leaves. They grow quite well at colder temperatures and can withstand weather and heat fluctuations better than most other varieties.
When it comes to taste, beans are usually quite quiteMild, whether raw or cooked. They usually have a smooth texture that "melts" when he hits his mouth. Many chefs find that the somewhat neutral flavor of beans can serve as a good accompaniment to a number of other meals that are salty and sweet.
common use
The big northern beans are perhaps the most popular in soups and steamed small ones because they tend to maintain their form even after a long -term boiling. They also add a lot of mass without changing the taste of the broth and emphasizing and emphasizing the tastes of other salty ingredients. Many chefs add these beans to the recipes as a way to "stretch" food, or to be further to feed more people. Soups with vegetables, rice and meat like stew beef or sausage can benefit from adding this kind of white beans.
cooks can also place them in Casseroles, especially those with poultry and vegetables. Beans often serve to bindOther ingredients that can create a more pleasant and easy -to -service food. They often prevent Casseroles to be too overwhelmed because they tend to absorb a lot of moisture.
Of course, it is also possible to administer large northern beans on your own, often poured with butter or spices as a side dish. Chefs can also add them to recipes for homemade bread, especially corn bread; This gives bread a slightly sweet taste and adds a lot of moisture and density. Beans can also be whisked or mixed to make a spicy decline for biscuits or toasted bread.
where and how to buy
Great northern beans are most often available in supermarkets and from farmers in the United States and Canada, mainly because the beans grow naturally and cultivate. It is generally acknowledged that the "Great North", where beans are taken from the names of TED, including states such as northern Dakota and Minnesota, and Canadian provinces Manitoby, Saskatchewan and Ontario. These regions remain primary growing areas, althoughBeans are distributed commercially in both countries and can be found relatively easily.
Consumers can usually find beans for sale in one of three ways. Fresh is usually considered "best", but their availability is often limited to farms and seasonal farmers. Most commercial stores sell beans either canned or dried, and there are advantages and disadvantages on both options. Dried beans often have the closest taste of their fresh counterparts, but must be reconstructed - a process that often includes hours of soaking and slow cooking. Canned beans are certainly more comfortable, but they can be preserved in chemical solutions or add more salt to help maintain their color and taste. These ingredients are usually not harmful, but they can be a taste and nutrition, something away.
nutritional profile
Great northern beans are usually considered quite nutritious. Have a high protein and dietary fiber content and are excellent iron sources,Magnesium and folate, all of which are the necessary minerals. They also have very low calories and contain very little natural sugars. Beans are popular among vegetarians because they are often easy to replace some of the nutrients that could otherwise be lost when the meat is omitted from the diet.
substitution
Cooks who cannot find large northern beans can usually replace almost any other white beans quite efficiently. Cannellini beans are a good choice, just like the Navy. Even small beans Lima will work on a pinch. The main goal is to find beans that has a similar color, texture and taste, and there are many options in terms of white beans. Availability often depends on the season and geographical areas, but Ttady is almost always something on most of the markets that will work.