Experimenting in the kitchen

Can you tell what is different about these two loaves of bread (as compared to other loaves of bread that are not pictured here)?

I mean aside from the dent in the top of the cut loaf and that orange spot in the lower middle (which is a crust crumb that I didn't brush off before taking the picture).

I added a non-breadish something to it.

I added a magical (some say musical) ingredient.

That's right. I added BEANS. Actually I added bean flour. I've been commissioned to give a class (for a Relief Society activity) on beans and I'm going the non-traditional uses for beans route.

One cup of flour made out of ground pinto beans was used in this batch of bread that I made instead of a cup of whole wheat flour. I even ground up the pinto beans myself, so I know that there is nothing but beany goodness in the flour that I used.

You would not know by tasting it that I used bean flour. You might detect a slight nutty aroma, but you wouldn't know what it was from.

I'll be testing out other recipes over the next few weeks. Some of you know I have a recipe for bean cookies (which my kids LOVE. Really) and I will be showcasing that recipe in my class as well. I've got a recipe for a strawberry smoothie, some muffins, a cake, cream soup, among other recipes that all use BEANS. (insert your own beans joke here)

I really like this bread. Apparently so do the cats, because I found little fang holes in the crust of the half-eaten loaf. Grrrrrrr!

Comments

TaterBean said…
HAHA! Dumb cats! I LOVE the bean cookies...I should make some more. I have extra beans at home that I bought a while ago for those cookies...maybe tomorrow! YUM!
Jen said…
Interesting. This is a whole new concept to me, and I may have to try cooking/baking with bean flour some day. I thought I was different when I used whole wheat flour in my choco chip oat cookies last time. Ha, you've got me beat. Good luck with your research and please do share any tried/true/loved recipes.
Jenni said…
How funny about the cats! Yay for beans! What kind of beans and how did you get bean flour? Have fun in your kitchen!
Jenni said…
How funny about the cats! Yay for beans! What kind of beans and how did you get bean flour? Have fun in your kitchen!
I used pinto beans. But you can really use any kind of dried bean.
Stephanie said…
I want to come to your class. Dang it.
Steph, I can send you recipes.

I miss you!