Springtime means fresh beans are in season! Fresh beans are a Foods of the Month in April so try to eat more of them. Get your dose of fresh beans with these fiber and vitamin filled meals that are both tasty and healthy:
Whole Wheat Gnocchi with Green Beans – We made this tasty dish last year and it was so yummy it bears repeating! Check out the picture by clicking here. The trick for making delicious gnocchi is cooking it in a skillet. On medium-heat, heat extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet, then add whole wheat/sweet potato gnocchi. Cook for about 10 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper, until the gnocchi is crispy on the outside and softened on the inside. Next, add grilled chicken and cooked green beans. Top with a squeeze of lemon and parmesan cheese for a tasty dinner!
Chicken Wrap with Green Beans – Use cut-up grilled chicken breast, tomatoes, a little bit of low-fat cheese, some onion, and cut-up green beans to create a healthy lunch wrap. Use a sharp knife to cut the wrap in half, or, if you are feeling creative, cut up the wrap into smaller pieces to make bite size “sushi” pieces for a fun afterschool snack. To view the final product, click here.
Fava Bean Pasta with Peas – This delicious dish is a popular Italian lunch. Break whole wheat spaghetti into 3 inch pieces, boil and set aside. Meanwhile, boil peas (fresh or frozen) for about 5 minutes, until they are tender, drain and add to pasta mixture. Next, shell your fresh fava beans (you could also substitute frozen lima beans if you cannot find fava beans) and cook in boiling water for 3 minutes. Let the beans cool and remove the outer skin. Mix in with the pasta and peas, add 1 tbsp. of whole wheat bread crumbs, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste. Enjoy this tasty pasta dish with some parmesan cheese for lunch like a true Italian!
