Beans and Summer Salsa

The Best Beans In The World (Honest!)

In my opinion, the key to this recipe is using dry black beans instead of from a can.  Freshly cooked beans could potentially change your life.  Yes they are that good, my entire family agrees as well.  Cooking beans from scratch also saves you tons of money.  I was eating for 3 dollars a day last year ( to save for my tiny house) and most of my diet was rice and beans (haha). During that time is when i mastered the art of beans, and i dare say these are the best beans you will ever have! And so simple!

Mushroom Beans:

1.5 cups dry black beans soaked overnight 

1 jar tomato paste

1 medium onion

3-4 cloves garlic

3-5 cups cremini mushrooms (Any quantity works here, just however much you have on hand)

1/4 cup coconut aminos

 1/2 tsp chipotle pepper (chili powder works as well)

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

Salt and pepper

Place your soaked beans in a pot with 6 cups of water, and let boil uncovered for 45 minutes- 1 hour. make sure they are soft all the way through. Drain the excess water and set aside to cool.Alternatively you can put your soaked beans in a pressure cooker and cook for 15 minutes.Chop your mushrooms very finely and place into a new pot with the jar of tomato paste, 1/2 cup water, finely diced onion and garlic, coconut aminos and spices.  Cook on medium heat uncovered until the mushrooms have reduced in size, and are well cooked (about 20 minutes).  Add the black beans to the mushrooms, stir & remove from heat.

Summer Salsa:

3-4 cups cherry tomatoes or regular summer tomatoes chopped finely

1 cucumber diced in small chunks

1-2 red bell peppers (depending on size)

1 bunch cilantro chopped

1 cup sauerkraut

1 small red onion juice of 1 lime

salt & pepper

Place all the ingredients into a bowl and mix to combine.  Easy as that!  I recommend placing in the fridge for a couple hours before you serve.  It tastes more like salsa when the flavors meld together.

Serve with brown rice,  greens, and avocado.  Optional, you can top with nutritional yeast!