Cathy Wolz
January 10 2012 blog Basic Caribbean Black BeansGood for your health and your budget, this week’s Health-e-Recipe for Basic Caribbean Black Beans is also great tasting. Beans are ideal sources of cancer-fighting fiber and the B vitamin folate. They also supply inexpensive protein so you can cut back on red meat for lower cancer risk, as AICR recommends.
Simply sautée onions, peppers and garlic in olive oil – they’re all cancer-fighting ingredients that contain plenty of phytochemicals to protect your body’s cells. Adding tomatoes brings the specific compound, lycopene to the mix. (FYI, canned tomatoes contain more of this compound than fresh tomatoes). Lycopene has shown evidence of protection against prostate cancer in research studies.
Black beans are the protein source in this recipe, making it a balanced entrée. Usually, AICR advises rinsing and draining canned beans to reduce salt content – but here, buying no-salt-added beans lets you keep the liquid in your dish.
Seasoned just right with phytochemical-rich cumin, oregano and sage, plus a little hot cayenne pepper if you like and cilantro as garnish, your Basic Caribbean Black Beans keep the fat and calories low. Round out this dish with brown rice and a green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette.
For more cancer-fighting recipes that put hearty beans in your diet, download our free brochure, Beans & Whole Grains on the New American Plate. Click here to subscribe to our weekly Healthy-e-Recipes.
photo copyright: Bigstock
