North African Style Beans Recipes

Steps:

• Cook dry beans according to instructions on packet. (No need with canned beans).
• Sauté onions until they are soft and clear.
• Add tomato paste, coconutcream and seasonings, stirring over a gentle heat until they form a smooth and creamy sauce.
• Drain beans and add to sauce. Allow to simmer gently for 15 minutes or so, stirring from time to time.
• Serve on brown or white rice accompanied by a salad.

Steps:

• Clean and soak the beans overnight.
• In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cinnamon, cloves and saffron and cook for about 1 minute longer. You can wrap cinnamon stick and cloves in cheese cloth for easy removal.
• Drain the beans and stir them into the pot. Add the cilantro and parsley sprigs and enough stock or water to cover by 1/2 inch. Cook until the beans are tender.
• Stir in the tomato and salt and pepper to taste and simmer until the flavors are well blended, about 20 minutes. Remove bay leaves, cinnamon and cloves before serving.

Steps:

• Drain the soaked chick peas and set aside. Tie half the cilantro sprigs into a bundle with the dried red chili, and chop the rest. Set aside the chopped cilantro.
• Heat the oil in a large bean pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onions and carrots. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes, and add 1/2 teaspoon salt, the garlic, paprika, and turmeric. Stir together for about a minute, until fragrant, and add the tomatoes, and their juice. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and the mixture is fragrant. Add the beans and water and bring to a boil. Add the cilantro bundle, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Add the squash, a generous amount of salt, and the harissa or cayenne, and continue to simmer for another hour. Taste and adjust salt. Add the vermicelli and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the cilantro bundle. Stir in the remaining cilantro and the mint, adjust salt and serve. Garnish with lemon wedges.