First Grade Garden Lesson 6: More planting

This week our topic was to "plant more things". Since our garden plot is growing nicely and we are out of room - we decided to plant beans in plastic cups. We planted several different types of beans. When testing this experiment out with my kids at home, I found out that my girls (who have seen me make beans from scratch many times) did not know what the beans look liked when cooked. So I decided to show the class with a taste test!

Group Activity:

• We looked at and named the different types of beans that we had:
• garbanzo beans
• white beans
• red kidney beans
• pinto beans
• black beans
• We also recapped what we did the previous week.

Activity 1: Plant Beans

• Take a plastic cup and put one of each type of bean in it.
• Take a paper towel and drip it in the water.
• Wring out some of the water from the paper towel.
• Scrunch up the paper towel and put it in the cup on top of the beans.
• Label the cup with the child's name.
• Done!

Activity 2: Taste Test

Allow each child to sample each of the beans prepared as described below.
Have a tally chart at the end so that the kids can mark all the beans that they liked.

Garbanzo Beans

These were made into hummus. Hummus is not my specialty because I can never seem to get the right consistency. But we tried it anyhow!

• Soak 1 cup beans overnight.
• Simmer for 1 1/2 - 2 hours over medium heat until softened.
• Add to a food processor: 1 garlic clove, 2 tablespoons tahini, 1 squeezed lemon, and salt.
• Pulse until combined.
• Add 1/3 cup olive oil and mix more.

White Beans

For these we made "Cowgirl Beans" which the rest of the world calls baked beans. These are a favorite around my house and the leftovers were quickly gobbled up!
The recipe for these can be found at: http://noboxcooking.blogspot.com/2013/01/cowgirl-baked-beans.html (This is another blog I write to keep track of my recipes!)  Take out the bacon for this activity!

Red Kidney Beans

These were yummy! They were just begging to be paired with some rice and Andouille sausage!

• Soak 1 1/2 cups beans overnight.
• Saute 2 garlic cloves, 1 onion, 1 stalk of celery in oil.
• Add jambalaya seasoning (my favorite recipe is here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/cajun-jambalaya-recipe2/index.html ), let it mix for a minute.
• Add beans and enough water to cover it.
• Simmer for 1 1/2 -2 hours until soft.

Pinto Beans

These are a staple around here! The kids love them when they are made from scratch!

• 1 1/2 cups beans soaked overnight.
• Simmer beans in enough water to cover until soft (about 1 1/2 - 2 hours). Add water as needed.
• Mash in a bowl!

Black Beans

These turned out good - it was the first time we made them and they were well received.

• 1 1/2 cups beans soaked overnight.
• Bring beans and enough water to cover them to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes.
• Add a small onion chopped and simmer for another 30 minutes.
• Add 2 garlic cloves and a nice sprinkle of cumin and a nice sprinkle of oregano and simmer for another 30 minutes.
• When the beans are soft, add a teaspoon of sugar and a tablespoon of white wine vinegar and some salt.

When cooking beans - always cook until soft enough to enjoy and always keep enough water to cover them when simmering. If the beans need some liquid simply add some of the cooking liquid. And always skim off the foam as you see it.

Enjoy!