“Garlic Flageolet Bean and Potato Soup”

Here is a very hearty bean soup for the winter that can be made from dried beans to finished soup in just a few minutes. This heart warming soup will rid the body of winter chills and fill the tummy with a comforting broth that’s sure to please. And it’s full of lots of nutrients that will do the body good, and it’s really tasty.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 - Cups of Dry Organic Flageolet Beans
1 - Large Organic Yellow Onion Chopped
8 - Medium Organic Potatoes with Skin on Cut into Large Pieces - the skin contains lots of the nutrition— or Cooked Yuca or Cassava could also be used.
1 - Cup of Organic Mushrooms Sliced
1 - Cup of Organic Quartered Marinated Artichoke Hearts and the Marinade
1 - Tablespoon of Organic Tomato Paste
12 - Cloves of Organic Garlic Minced
1 - Cup of Organic Kale Chopped
1 - Liter of Organic Veggie Broth
1 - Cup of Organic Black Olives
Salt and Pepper to Taster
Organic Spray Olive Oil for the bottom of the pot - or some other organic oil.

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Take the spray oil and spray the bottom of the soup pot and then add the onions and sauté until nice and translucent. Then add the broth and the beans and bring everything to a boil until the beans are almost tender. Then add the potatoes, black olives, minced garlic, tomato paste, mushrooms, the artichoke hearts and the marinade… and cook until the potatoes are tender, add more water if needed.
Then turn off the heat and let cool slightly and then add the kale. It’s important not to over cook the kale, we want to preserve the live enzymes and that beautiful green color. Then salt and pepper to taste and serve… makes about 8 to 10 servings.

Health Benefits of Flageolet Beans

Flageolet Beans are mild in flavor, are creamy, they plump up nicely and are usually used to replace white beans. They are a light tasting bean that goes well with garlic, carrots, onions, celery, thyme, and even bay leaves, and can even work well with hearty tomato and curry sauces. These beans now come in many different colors other than the traditional light green. And they do not require soaking like other beans, so they are easy to use in many different recipes.

Folic acid is very important to prevent birth defects and Flageolet Beans contain a good amount of this important nutrient. In fact 100 grams of Flageolet Beans contain almost 400 msg of Folic Acid… making them a great source of this vital nutrient. Plus Flageolet Beans also contain lots of other B Vitamins.
Flageolet Beans contain many proteins including – Alanine, Arginine, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Histidine, Proline, Isoleucine, Threonine, Tyrosine, Leucine, Lysine , and even Valine… thus making them great for vegans and vegetarians. In fact per 100 grams of Flageolet Beans contain almost 24 grams of protein.

Flageolet Beans contain only about 150 calories per 1/4 cup of dried beans… making them great for any weight loss program, and they are very low in fat.
Flageolet Beans contain lots of great fiber making them great for building our immune system by providing a good environment for growing probiotic bacteria.
Carbs are necessary for life and for good mood and health. Flageolet Beans contain a good source of vital energy (Carbs) to keep a person moving and enjoying life.

Flageolet Beans contain over 1,400 msg of potassium per 100 grams of beans. Potassium is important for preventing osteoporosis, for good heart contractions, and for water regulation.

Flageolet Beans also contain lots of iron and copper for anemia, phosphorus and calcium for strong bones, magnesium and manganeses for enzyme production and for stress, selenium and zinc for immunity, Vitamin C for boosting our immune system and for cellular integrity, Vitamin E for great skin and sexual enhancement, Vitamin K to prevent excessive clotting and tryptophan to help a person relax and get a good nights rest.

Flageolet Beans require very short cooking times and do not require soaking before cooking making them easy to use in many dishes. The nice thing about Flageolet Beans is that they don’t fall apart, and resist breaking while cooking. If you google “Flageolet Beans Recipes” lots of great tasting including casseroles, salads, soups, stews, and more recipes will come up.

Enjoy this quick simple soup that is a true crowd pleaser.

I still have some of this in the frig and will finish it tonight - Hmmm can’t wait.

Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist