The gospel of pulse

Father Frijole

Welcome to all who wield the wooden spoon in service of the pot.

Receive the Commandments Read the Bean-attitudes

A humble pantry can feed multitudes.

Pulse Power

Beans are protein-packed, nourishing and ancient.

Budget Mercy

With a faithful pot and a seasoned hand the humble cook can turn scarcity into abundance.

Thanksgiving

The divine, delivered unto man: simmer gently and share widely.

Tablets from the shelf

The Ten Commandments of Legume

These are the rules given unto the faithful, that their beans may be tender and their bellies want not.

  1. Thou shalt honor the dried bean.
  2. Thou shalt soak.
  3. Thou shalt buy quality beans.
  4. Thou shalt salt early.
  5. Thou shalt add aromatics.
  6. Thou shalt use the canned bean sparingly.
  7. Thou shalt pair pulse with grain.
  8. Thou mayest employ humble meats.
  9. Thou shalt not neglect the humble pea.
  10. Thou shalt go forth and partake of exotic legumes.

The sermon from the stovetop

The Bean-attitudes

And seeing the multitudes, Father Frijole went up into the kitchen. And when he was seated, his hungry disciples came unto him.

  • Blessed are the leeks, for they shall instill the umami.
  • Blessed are the poor in flour, but rich in bean, for theirs is the kingdom of protein.
  • Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall reconcile rice and legumes in one pot.
  • Blessed are the sprouts, for they have seen resurrection in a mason jar.
  • Blessed are the children who ask for seconds, for they shall inhibit food waste.
  • Blessed are they who, when their mother-in-law mocketh the humble proteins, envy not the filet of their neighbor, but turn and braise the other cheek.
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, when people ask why thou ownest seven varieties of bean, for thy reward lieth in the great pantry.

Homilies

Lessons from the pot.

Red Beans and Rice: Humble abundance

For the Sunday sinner seeking Monday mercy: a pot of beans, aromatics, smoked seasoning, rice, and patience.

  • Soak beans: overnight or quick.
  • Build flavor with onion, celery, pepper, garlic, cayenne, bay leaf and seasoning salt.
  • Simmer until creamy, then serve over rice with gratitude and mirth.

Mung Dal: The Small Green Mercy

The mung asks little. It cooks quickly, digests kindly, and forgives the cook who forgot to plan.

  • Simmer split mung with turmeric, ginger, garlic, and cumin.
  • Finish with lime, cilantro, chopped peppers and a righteous drizzle of olive oil.
  • Serve when the palate seeks adventure and the body seeks peace.