Too Many Chefs

Just out of curiousity (and because I figure Dr. Redhead might know) is folate the same as folic acid??

i'm doing grocery shopping on friday, maybe i'll do a bean week if i like the recipes.

Nice post, Barrett.

We go through a lot of black beans in my house--healthy, filling, tasty, versatile.

I'd recommend getting a pressure cooker. I received one as a gift last year and it has changed the way I cook. You'll shave 75% of your cooking time off of a pot of beans, with no degredation in quality or taste.

Meg, according to this link, folate is related to folic acid, but is not as readily absorbed. They calculate that 2 mcg of folate are as effective as 1 mcg of folic acid.

So they aren't the same, but they are related and if I read this right, you can get what you need from folate.

eatchicago, thanks for the nice words. I have considered getting a pressure cooker. It keeps showing up as a necessary tool when making many Indian dishes.

Pressure cookers are also essential if you like artichokes! In fact, that is about all I use mine for... (I cook my dry beans in a Crock Pot - dump them in the pot in the morning and by evening you are ready to use them!

Is there nothing more delicious than a pot full of steaming beans. =) But in all seriousness, keep these articles coming! yay to beans!

Is there nothing more delicious than a pot full of steaming beans. =) But in all seriousness, keep these articles coming! Yay to beans!

Barrett - great idea for a series of recipes. I love black bean soup and your black bean cakes look intriguing. I've never used Espazote - where do you get it. Also, you said to use one package...but how much is that?

Thanks!
Karen

Karen, I've only seen epazote sold two ways - fresh in Latino markets or in these cellophane envelopes dried. The envelopes are always the same size, so I don't usually take note of the measures in a more sophisticated manner.

Crumbled, it's probably no more than 2 teaspoons or so, maybe a tablespoon.

I'd try your local Mexican market, or apparently, Spice House has it for sale by mail. link