Underestimating: Stretch a Meal with Bush’s Beans!
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We are becoming more and more of a “bean” family. We love the flavor, the protein and nutritional value, they’re hearty, and as Mom, I love how you can stretch a meal with beans.
I’ll usually do this by adding whatever kind of beans that I have stocked in my pantry!
One of our favorite dishes in our house, and with the kid’s friends, is chili. Doesn’t everyone love chili? (My delicious Chicken Chili recipe will be in my new book!)
Back in the Fall we had a last minute Chili Feed in our new kitchen for the soccer team. We invited the team in even though the kitchen was not finished.
After opening can after can of Bush’s Beans (and tomatoes), and filling two large pots with delicious chili, I really thought I had made enough for the entire team, plus adults.
But guess what? We ran out of chili!
I underestimated the amount for 14 boys and all of the adults. That was not good, as I pulled leftovers out of the fridge for last minute stragglers who showed up.
Luckily my friend Vicky watched my body language as I thought “FHB” (Family Hold Back!), which meant – go light on the chili – there’s not enough!
Moms just know.
Vicky and I looked at each other and before I could even say anything, she said “that’s okay, I’ll share with my daughter.” (Love you, Vicky!)
Back to Bush’s Beans. If I only had more in the pantry, I could have made it work. But later I made up for it as I pulled these 2 cakes hot out of the oven (No Peel Apple cake – again recipe in this book!) I redeemed myself, I guess you’d say.
Recently when I received an invitation from Bush’s Beans to travel to Napa for chili tasting and cooking at The Culinary Institute of America with Connie Guttersen, R.D., Ph.D., author of The Sonoma Diet, how could I say no?
Me? Cook at The Culinary Institute? I am so glad I’ve never claimed to be a chef – all pressure is off!
So I’ll soon be heading to beautiful Napa along with Amy from She Wears Many Hats, Aggie from Aggie’s Kitchen, and Tina from Mommy’s Kitchen. I love these ladies and we are going to have so much fun!
As we’re going to be cooking up some chili, here’s the site for Beans and everything you want to know about them, plus tons of recipes and nutritional information that you may find helpful. I know I did!
Have you ever had a group of people over where you underestimated the portions?
I’d love to hear your story!
(People always want to know, so I’ll tell you that Bush’s Beans is covering the costs for this trip, but they are not paying for sponsorship of this ad or anything I write here. They are just a very generous group of people and I’m excited for this experience! And thank you Amy for sharing your photo with me!)
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24 Comments on “Underestimating: Stretch a Meal with Bush’s Beans!”
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My girlfriend loves beans, and although beans aren’t my “favorite” thing to eat, this recipe actually looks really tasty. I plan on trying it.
.-= Ronnie´s last blog ..How To Chop an Onion =-.
I live an hour and a half north of Napa! Have a great time. So very proud of you.
First…that is our favorite chili ever! Second…how exciting off to Napa you go! Fun!
I always have the opposite problem – or sickness! As a wedding planner, I heard guests complain about everything…food being #1. We always have too much food when we have people over…always. I make sure to have glad containers or Chinese takeout boxes so I can send everyone home with a care package.
.-= Holly L´s last blog ..A Little Birdie Left Something on My Table =-.
I usually OVER estimate the amount of food! I usually end up with tons of leftovers that I have to deal with.
Have fun in Napa! I’d love a chance to go some day. Chili was definitely something I did NOT grow up with. The first time I tasted it was when I was dating my husband. I’ll admit that it’s something that had to grow on me. Now I like it fine. (I grew up with Austrian food)
.-= Astrid´s last blog ..Snowmen::Courage =-.
Okay, I had to share this…
“Do you know how many beans it takes to make the perfect bean soup?
answer: “239”
Why?: “If you add one more, it would be two-farty.”
That’s my husband’s favorite joke right now. Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Hope it made you laugh.
.-= Traci´s last blog ..Third time’s a charm! =-.
I’m so excited for you! Have a great trip.
.-= Traci´s last blog ..Third time’s a charm! =-.
Napa Valley? Sounds like a dream trip to me! Hope you ladies have an amazing time. I have to tell you I am a huge fan of Bush’s beans. Just made a batch of my Aunt Cindy’s baked beans this weekend, which includes several varieties of their tasty beans. I often whip up a snazzy little salad with the Great Northern Beans, a bit of red onion, and a great vinaigrette, a recipe I stole from a favorite restaurant, makes a great first course or side dish.
Oh yes, and I always, always make way too much of everything!
I am using some of these beans tonight for Ham and Bean Soup. Yum! I have a ham bone calling my name in my fridge waiting to be thrown in the pot.
Have fun in Napa!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Wake Up Amy =-.
You’re going to be in Napa and I’m going to Oregon? Please tell me this isn’t at the same time. Talk about ships passing in the night, LOL. If you get into St. Helena (town by the Academy) go to the Model Bakery! You’ll be on the road I take from Bay to Mountains all the time.
Darla
.-= Darla´s last blog ..Thoughts on Thursday 2/25/10 =-.
Thankfully I can’t think of anytime when there wasn’t enough-usually we way over do it just to avoid that and end up throwing leftovers in the freezer or sending them home with guests!
But as a mostly vegetarian family we love beans and use them almost daily in our cooking, they’re quick and yummy and totally filling. Love them!
Have a wonderful time in Napa, it’s just so beautiful there. I always love to eat at Rutherford’s Grill when I’m there.
.-= Gina´s last blog ..More about Nothing at All, but lots about Everything Else =-.
Have fun in Napa! I have eaten at the culinary institute and let me just say, it was one of the best meals i have had!!!
.-= Bethany´s last blog ..sometimes you just need a break… =-.
What an amazing opportunity! Have a wonderful time at the CIA!
.-= Kristen´s last blog ..Happy 101 Blog Award! =-.
And it’s not just Americans that love beans, too. Italians use them as a staple – pasta e fagioli – and I use those recipes all the time here at home.
Yay for Bush’s and I’m excited for you and this trip. Have a great time! Take pictures!
there have been times when someone unexpected shows up for dinner and I need to think fast. soup is fairly easy to stretch. Sometimes I will add more beans, sometimes more liquid and vegetables. I have at times told my own family to go light just to make sure there’s enough. I also don’t have a problem asking everyone to go easy on the first round to make sure there’s enough…especially if it was an unplanned amount of people.
Often, I OVER estimate and make too much (C:
For one birthday party I made white chicken chili (recipe on my blog) and thought I had made enough. But I hadn’t and that night (I myself, did not eat any). I tried to make it stretch but had run out of things to stretch it with.
WOW! How exciting to go to Napa….you have so many wonderful adventures.
.-= kirstin´s last blog ..Spring wants to Spring! =-.
Where have I been? I didn’t realize you had a book out-Congratulations Sandy! The cover is beautiful.
One Thanksgiving my husband and I invited 8 foreign exchange college students and a couple of friends over for dinner (the students spoke very little English)-We decided to buy New York steak whole at Costco and cut it ourselves to save money plus it was easy to barbecue. I made 2 huge dishes of scalloped potatoes and a salad for dinner and baked major pies and brownies for dessert. The dinner was looking to turn out perfect-UNTIL we did a head count when we realized our house was getting very full (some of the students brought their friends) There ended up being 18 people there! What could we do? My husband and I just laughed, said a loaf and fishes prayer and cut the steaks much thinner. By the grace of God everything turned out wonderful and everyone was full. Starving college kids are easy to please. I am so thankful I have a creative husband that put together the best make shift table and plopped it right in the middle of our living room.
Have fun in Napa!
Robin~♥
.-= Robin Beck´s last blog ..Sums It All Up~ =-.
I’m so proud of you for being invited to Napa. I’ll be waving that direction and wishing I could see you. Good luck.
.-= Selena´s last blog ..Apron Giveaway =-.
Oh so that’s what you’ll be doing in Napa! How fabulous is that! Have fun and did I hear you say you are working on a cookbook??? :0)
I’ve been wanting a chicken chili recipe, so I’ll be happy to get your book! When will it be available?
Your trip sounds like so much fun. . . good for you!
Bush’s are my favorite…sounds like a fun trip.
.-= Melanie Dorsey´s last blog ..Revisiting ~ GOD VISITS IN THE VALLEY ~ =-.
I don’t know this brand of beans but I’m a big fan of doing just what you describe. I find lentils work really well in the same way too, the darker lentils have a similar texture to minced beef so it doesn’t change the dish much – great for steching and also money saving!
Jade
.-= Jade @ No Longer25´s last blog ..What’s the Fastest Cake in the World?… =-.
PS I’m so excited for you, having your book coming out soon!
.-= Jade @ No Longer25´s last blog ..What’s the Fastest Cake in the World?… =-.
I find that I watch portion controls with my own family, especially when I estimated the food to last for two meals! I’m all about leftovers!!
Sandy, I must say, “your apple cake is a fixture in our home!” I make it all the time, especially in the fall. Also, I’m getting so excited for your book to come out! Hopefully less than six months!!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Half Birthday =-.
Sandy,
Alright! another fun experience you will have “taste testing” for all of us. I know you’ll share more through your blog. Thanks so much.
I don’t have a story to share, just gratitude for your ability to share all aspects of entertaining. Even when the servings seem to come up short. :-)
Thanks for another recipe, too. We’ll try the chili this weekend. The cake looks scrumptious…. yum.
Peace.