If your family is like most families, yours enjoys pasta just as much as the rest. The
wonderful thing about pasta is that you can buy whole grain pasta and cook it in so many
different ways. You can also add so many different things to pasta that you are pretty
much provided an endless resource of meals.
For this recipe, you will need whole grain pasta, a head of whole fresh broccoli crowns
(preferable organic), and some fresh legumes such as raw, white kidney beans.
For this simple three-ingredient recipe, you will need:
1 package whole-grain pasta
1 bunch of broccoli crowns, preferably organic
2 cups of dried white kidney beans
It is preferable to soak the dried white kidney beans overnight. To do so, place the
kidney beans in a pot of cold water, cover, and soak overnight. The following evening,
rinse and drain the kidney beans before cooking.
To cook the kidney beans, simply place them in a pot of water covered by about two
inches over the top of the beans and cook for approximately 1 and ½ hours. Many
individuals like to cook the beans in chicken broth, which, of course, would have to be
organic as well, if you are thinking healthy.
Once the beans are tender to the touch and soft, they are ready to eat.
Put up your pasta according to the package directions and you can cook your broccoli
crowns in many ways. Some individuals put the broccoli crowns in the boiling water a
few minutes before they add the pasta to the boiling pot of water.
You can steam the broccoli crowns, sauté them in olive oil and garlic, or microwave
them. However you choose to do it, just try to choose the healthiest method, which
would probably be steaming.
Once your broccoli is steamed and your beans are cooked, place them in a pan with some olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and add the olive oil and broccoli. Mix well in the pasta. If you serve this with a salad on the side,
your family will be sure to be pleased.
The kidney beans are an excellent source of protein. The broccoli has antioxidants and calcium and, of course, everyone loves pasta. In addition, the best part of the whole meal is that it is healthy, quick, and super inexpensive to create.
If your family enjoys the lemon-marinated chicken, here is a slightly different, but just as
simple version.
