RecipesHearty Meatless Minestrone A friend gave me this quick, healthy recipe, and it’s oh-so-tasty. It makes a big batch and is great for leftovers. To enhance the flavor, add a pound or two of sweet Italian sausage. —Mickey Turner, Grants Pass, Oregon
RecipesFully Loaded Chili With lean ground beef, four types of beans and lots of seasonings and toppings, this chili is truly “fully loaded.” But those aren’t the only heavyweights in here; every serving provides a hefty 26 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber. —Cynthia Baca, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
RecipesSlow-Cooked Vegetable Curry I love the fuss-free nature of the slow cooker, but I don’t want to sacrifice flavor for convenience. This cozy, spiced-up dish has both. —Susan Smith, Mead, Washington
RecipesZippy Vegetarian Chili Hominy and garbanzo beans are interesting additions to this zippy chili recipe that uses canned goods from the cupboard. I often serve it with cornbread or flour tortillas for a speedy meal. It’s economical, too. —Karen Hunt, Bellvue, Colorado
RecipesThree-Bean Salsa Here’s an easy recipe for fabulous, chunky salsa. “It’s fast, fresh, low in fat and high in fiber,“ shares Regina Gutierrez. To keep calories down, she serves it with baked or low-fat tortilla chips at home in San Antonio, Texas.
RecipesThree Bean Casserole My husband and I are retired farmers. Our main crop was wheat, and we began growing beans when our son joined the operation. When our church cookbook was revised a couple years ago, this recipe was included among the favorites. —Georgia Hennings, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
RecipesConfetti Bean Salad I shared this recipe with a friend a while back. Now we kid about who will make it when we’re attending the same event! No matter who brings the salad, it’s always a hit at get-togethers. -Doreen Storz Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
RecipesSlow Cooker Vegetable Bean Soup Kitchen staples and canned goods help me get this heartwarming soup on the table with very little preparation. Feel free to change the ingredients according to your tastes by adding a few of your favorite vegetables, or swap out some of the beans with the variety you like best.—Belinda Moran, Woodbury, Tennessee
RecipesGarbanzo-Stuffed Mini Peppers Mini peppers are so colorful and are the perfect size for a two-bite appetizer. They have all the crunch of pita chips but without the extra calories. —Christine Hanover, Lewiston, California
RecipesQuick Italian Veggie Skillet When you don’t know what to serve, Italian flavors are a good starting point. We combine cannellini and garbanzo beans for this snappy rice dish. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
RecipesHearty Vegetable Bean Soup Chock-full of vegetables and beans, this hearty soup is sure to satisfy your hungry bunch on a winter night. Writes Cathy Seed from Hudson, Ohio. “This soup is wonderfully easy to make and very tasty. In summer, use fresh produce from the garden or your local farmer’s market. In winter, just use frozen or open some cans of veggies—it couldn’t be simpler!”
RecipesGluten-Free Brownies “No one ever guesses that these fudgy, moist brownies are gluten-free, as well as flourless and, actually, made with beans!” Jean Ecos – Hartland, Wisconsin
RecipesMinestrone Vegetables and herbs fresh from my garden make this one of our favorite soups. This recipe makes a lot, so it’s perfect for large gatherings or to freeze in smaller containers for fast meals.—Virginia Bauer, Botkins, Ohio
RecipesTurkey White Chili Growing up in a Pennsylvania Dutch area, I was surrounded by excellent cooks and wonderful foods. I enjoy experimenting with new recipes like this change-of-pace chili. —Kaye Whiteman, Charleston, West Virginia
RecipesRoasted Beetroot and Garlic Hummus This tasty beetroot hummus is the prettiest pink snack I’ve ever seen. The healthy recipe is handy to make in large batches and keep in the fridge for lunches and snacks throughout the week. —Elizabeth Worndl, Toronto, Ontario
RecipesBest Hummus Hummus is my go-to appetizer when I need something quick, easy and impressive. Over the years I’ve picked up a number of tricks that make this the best hummus recipe you’ll ever have. —James Schend, Dairy Freed