Now the clocks have gone back and the evenings are drawing in, winter is officially upon us. And if you’re anything like me the dark nights and dismal days leave me craving all things cosy; endless mugs of tea, buttery toast, open fires and copious amounts of comfort food. Thus the season of over-indulging in stodge is here, leaving our waist-lines with little choice but to expand. While balmy summer days leave me wanting salads and great hunks of fruit, winter is most definitely a time for real, hearty, satisfying foods.
Thankfully, help is at hand from the lovely people at Easy Bean – creators of the delicious and healthy One-Pot Bean Meals. Inspired by authentic recipes from around the world, many of which use beans as the foundation, Easy Bean are committed to providing healthy, nutritious and filling meals that can be enjoyed alone or as a filling to a fluffy jacket potato or a spicy tortilla wrap. Combining a range pulses with a whole host of natural and wholesome ingredients, each pot is high in fibre, low in fat and both gluten and dairy free – so perfect for anyone with food intolerances. In addition each meal will count as at least two portions of veg and have no hidden nasties – so absolutely no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives.
And as a socially responsible business, you can enjoy the One-Pot Bean Meals, knowing that Easy Bean endeavour to use local suppliers and continually work with the Fairtrade Foundation.
Each pot is infused with exotic ingredients and there are both meat and vegetarian varieties. The Moroccan Tagine is a delicious option for herbivores – with chickpea, aubergine and butternut squash, slow cooked with apricot and aromatic spices, there’s a real taste of Moroccan Medina’s in every pot. But my personal favourite is The African Pavlava – a tasty combination of Fairtrade brown bean with free range chicken, sweet potato and spinach in a spicy peanut sauce. So if you’re stuck for dinner ideas, and want something both hearty and healthy, look no further than Easy Bean One- Pot Meals.
Available from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and a number of independent retailers.