this post is sponsored. to learn how to work with Vie, click here!
Did we say snap? We meant smash.
Meet our new favorite product, available at many of the stores we represent: Bean Smash. When we first heard about this stuff, we were intrigued for sure! Any flavorful, inexpensive source of protein that’s quick and fun to make, easy to eat on the go and appetizing for kids can pretty much always get our attention here at Vie!
At 99 cents/serving, it’s a no-brainer.
These little packages are filled with amazing flavor combinations that play off of dried black bean, pinto bean and kidney bean bases. Simply add water, heat for 75 seconds in the microwave (or add boiling water) and voila! Now, anyone can do that + grab some veggies or chips and start dipping to enjoy a healthy and protein-packed snack (12 grams of protein per serving).
But this is Vie, and we won’t stop there. We thought we’d take each flavor profile (the company sent us every flavor!) and see what else we could do with it. The truth is, we know that almost all of you struggle with knowing how to cook dried beans. Even though we teach, write recipes for, and teach again…it’s a concept that does scare folks off and we get it. This is why we are in love with Bean Smash. In a little over a minute you can have a single serving ready to enjoy, and can use the end result in a bunch of different ways to achieve creativity in the kitchen with your recipes.
Check out what we did with Bean Smash flavors below. Don’t forget to pick some up the next time you’re at Wegmans, Publix or Harris Teeter (pssst…order online!) and follow our friends at Bean Smash (Insta, Facebook, Twitter) to see what they’re cooking up with their awesome new business.
Habanero Chalupa with Chipotle Black Bean Base, Pepita Salsa and Corn + Cotija
Imagine a healthy version of your Taco Bell favorite? (Ok, maybe the Taco Bell favorite of your teenage years??) We took a trip to Trader Joe's to grab some of our favorite Mexican-inspired products in order to show all of you how easy it is to whip up a healthy meal with Bean Smash products.
We followed the instructions to heat up a container of Bean Smash's Chipotle Black Bean mix, fried a habanero tortilla in a touch of oil, and spread our Bean Smash mix over top to serve. As if that wasn't enough, sprinkling cheese over the warm black bean base helped to get the cheese melted just right, and frosty corn and cotija mix from the frozen section helped pull it all together! Oh yeah...and TJ's new pepita salsa is pretty fine, too!
Bean Smash Bowl
This one's easy because it uses the container that you heat your Bean Smash up in! Simply follow the instructions for warming beans + top with crumbled tortilla chips, salsa verde, sliced sweet peppers and sour cream for a fab afternoon snack or light lunch!
We suggest using the Green Chile Pinto Bean flavor.
Cheesy Chili Bake
If you're from Texas, or know anyone who is, then you've heard tell of this comfort food favorite (or gasp, even had the good luck of trying this!). We're using the packaging to create a quick version! Simply follow instructions for heating beans. Make sure to use the Cheesy Pinto Bean flavor.
Once beans are hot, add directly to the container some crumbled tortilla chips, lime chicken (recipe to follow), 1 can whole pintos (optional) and cheese.
Stir to combine, reheat for 30 seconds and serve hot with a spoon!
Lime Chicken
This one's easy: Take one pound ground chicken, brown with 1 pkg taco seasoning (half a package if using the TJ's brand) and cook until no pink remains.
Set aside to cool and once no longer hot, drench with the juice of 2-3 large limes.
Store in the fridge of freezer for use throughout the week!
Provencal White Bean Soup
For all of the Tex-Mex flavors Bean Smash puts out, we've got to say that the Parmesan Garlic White Bean flavor might be our fave. It's feels very French to us, and is probably the most versatile of all the flavors!
We're using it here as a nice soup base to compliment whole white beans, sausage and broth.
Simply follow the instructions for heating and allow mixture to cool.
In a soup pot, saute onions and garlic in olive oil with a sprig each of rosemary and thyme. Add sliced sausage of your choice (anything with garlic and herbs works well), 1 quart chicken broth, 1 can drained and rinsed white beans + the contents of the Bean Smash Parmesan Garlic White Bean package. **You can add as many of these as you like to help thicken and flavor soup.
Bring everything to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve back in the Bean Smash containers for an easy cleanup!
Leave a Reply