Pearl beans 珍珠豆 or also known as Borlotti beans / Roman beans (usually called Cranberry beans in the States) are bred in Italy to have a thicker skin. These brightly color pinkish pods and beans were so beautiful with random pink spots. I like this so much that these has become my favourite additions to my usual lotus root soup. It is so delicious, creamy soft & mushy. Nutty flavour, but nothing like peanut at all. The only bummer thing is that they lose that beautiful color when cooked.
Pearl beans is cholesterol free and has many nutrients benefits:
- an excellent source of fiber & folate to regulate the digestive systems
- a good source of potassium to help maintain a healthy blood pressure
- folate which are helpful for pregnant women and their babies
magnesium, phosphorous and manganese.
- iron and copper essential for the new blood cell formation
- full of protein & essential amino acids to help build muscles & body tissues
- low in the glycemic index which prevents sugar crashes, sugar cravings, and mood swings & lowering blood pressure
Sharing with you all here, lotus roots with pearl beans soup. The beans cook and turn soft pretty fast, you can only add them into the soup in the last 20 minutes of boiling the soup. If you add too early into the soup, it will become mushy & melt into the soup. You won't be able to find the whole bean itself.
Ingredients: (serves 3)
100g Pearl Beans (weight without pods) about 20 pods
230g Chicken Carcasses / Pork Bones
320g Lotus Roots
2L Water
12-15 pcs Dried Red Dates - pitted
Salt & pepper to taste
Step by Step:
1. Remove pearl beans from the pods and rinse well. Set aside.
2. Lightly blanch the chicken carcasses / pork ribs in hot water to remove blood and impurities. Rinse & set aside. 3. Wash, peel and cut the lotus roots into thin slices. 4. Remove the beans from the pods and rinse well. 5. Add all ingredients into the pot (except pearl beans & salt). Bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat & let it simmer slowly for an hour and half. 7. Then add in pearl beans and continue to simmer for another 20 minutes. 8. Season with salt & ready to serve.
Happy Cooking & enjoy..