Economy Gastronomy - new budget cookery programme; BBC

thriftlady_2

Buttonmoons wrote: »

I bought all the things in today to make the Quasideillas (sp) but I could not find black beans!! Is there anything else I could use instead? Something that would work well with the spices etc.

Really am clueless when it comes to adapting things, especially since I don't know what a black bean tastes like so can't really think of something to compare it too!

I thought there was only going to be 6episodes? Glad there is more!

In my experience all beans taste much the same. Sub kidney beans, black eyed beans, cannellini beans or chickpeas. The only thing with black beans is that they are quite small and probably better suited to be inside a quesadilla. You could mash other beans slightly to make them less bulky.

Lesley_Gaye

thriftlady wrote: »

In my experience all beans taste much the same. Sub kidney beans, black eyed beans, cannellini beans or chickpeas. The only thing with black beans is that they are quite small and probably better suited to be inside a quesadilla. You could mash other beans slightly to make them less bulky.

I succumbed to the book and as far as I can see from the picture, the black beans look like the same ones as in Chinese cookery eg chicken with black bean sauce.

I haven't seen them in tins, but I bought some salted ones for doing a couple of Chinese dishes. They last for ever and have a very distinctive (and pungent) aroma and taste. If you do get some, they are very salty and need a rinse before using. I got mine from our local deli, and I have seen them in the Indian supplies shop I buy enormous bags of lentils from. You only need a tblsp of them for a Chinese meal, any more is overpowering.

competitionscafe

I never did get round to watching the first episode of Virgin Cooks (BBC3) after reading the comments on here but did watch the 2nd and 3rd episodes on iplayer and thought they were okay - yes bit formulaic /contrived etc but some of the recipes sound really nice. (although homemade ravioli and souffles seem odd choices for complete beginner cooks!)

I made the lamb kofta kebabs this week (but bought pitta breads rather than making them!) and they were delicious. The homemade chilli sauce and the coriander houmous were both very quick and easy to make and very tasty so will make those again for sure - to go with other dshes too or the houmous is nice just with pitta breads. As the kebabs are made with lamb mince instead of diced lamb they also work out cheaper than the recipe on EG (athough perhaps not as healthy)

They have video versions of the recipes as well as text which is quite helpful:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/headroom/newsandevents/programmes/virgin_cooks.shtml

Lamb koftas:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/headroom/newsandevents/programmes/virgin_cooks.shtml?virgin_cooks_ep2_kebab

The_Dragon

My copy of the book arrived today (and is currently out of reach of small puppy teeth!), so I know what I will be reading over the weekend!

MrsE_2

competitionscafe wrote: »

I never did get round to watching the first episode of Virgin Cooks (BBC3) after reading the comments on here but did watch the 2nd and 3rd episodes on iplayer and thought they were okay - yes bit formulaic /contrived etc but some of the recipes sound really nice. (although homemade ravioli and souffles seem odd choices for complete beginner cooks!)

I started watching it, because I read about it on here.

I quite like it, nice recipes:D

ETS I have looked to see if the chef (Gordon) has a book for the show, but he doesn't appear to.
He's really nice, like Jamie - likeable.

competitionscafe

By the way a brand called Epicure also do black beans (in tins, 79p) - have see them at Waitrose but Tesco also sell them apparently:
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/ocado-compare-prices/Tinned_Beans/Epicure_Black_Beans_400g.html
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Tinned_Beans/Epicure_Organic_Black_Beans_400g.html

Of course if you have a local health foods shop you can buy the dried ones to soak overnight and cook - much cheaper but more hassle.

Biona and Suma brands also do black beans in tins:
http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk/cgi-local/frameset/detail/324477_Biona_Organic_Black_Beans_400g.html
http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk/cgi-local/frameset/detail/713192_Suma_Organic_Black_Beans__400g.html

It seems that apart from cheese, what goes into Quesadillas is quite flexible, so beans is only 1 option:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&hs=aCT&ei=YW2qSqKyLoiNjAfoiK3oBw&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&q=Quesadillas&spell=1

COOLTRIKERCHICK

ok.... i going to get the book, you lot are a bad influence;):p

to be honest i havent looked at a cookery book in ages:cool: and now i am in a bit of a meal rutt making the same things all the time...

anniemf2508

i did the onion bhaji's, dhal and rice for dinner tonight.....won't be making the dhal again and will be tweaking the bhaji recipe slightly when i use it next time

financially_gaga

Buttonmoons wrote: »

I bought all the things in today to make the Quasideillas (sp) but I could not find black beans!! Is there anything else I could use instead? Something that would work well with the spices etc.

Really am clueless when it comes to adapting things, especially since I don't know what a black bean tastes like so can't really think of something to compare it too!

I thought there was only going to be 6episodes? Glad there is more!

I always use kidney beans when making anything remotely mexican-ish. The whle family eat them and are much cheaper than black beans. Same recipe except i add chilli and/or jalepenos, peppers and onions. :beer:

Fivenations

I love black beans. They have a silky texture and are are smaller and softer than red kidney beans - great for soups and chillis.You can buy them dried in Waitrose - look in the sections with all the dried wholefoods and in Indian supermarkets.

http://www.hub-uk.com/cooking/tipsblackbeans.htm