Gingerbread makeover: How red beans add a healthy twist
More and more people are seeking ideas for holiday baked goods that are sweet, delicious, and healthy. Last year, I was tempted to try gingerbread made with beans. I plan to make it again this year because it's even better than the traditional version.
The addition of red beans gives the gingerbread the perfect consistency. They don't change the flavour of the cake but keep it moist. This way, each bite of the gingerbread melts in your mouth, letting the spicy notes stimulate your taste buds and delight your senses.
Why is it worth adding red beans to gingerbread?
It's all for the health of my family. Beans are rich in fibre, which regulates bowel function and helps maintain proper blood sugar levels. They're also a source of plant protein, providing essential building blocks for tissues, particularly important for vegetarians.
The wealth of B vitamins positively affects nervous system functioning, and their antioxidant properties help fight free radicals.
gingerbread spice from beans? It's worth making your own mix
Sometimes I choose a ready-made spice mix, but I've often found that homemade gingerbread spice is far superior. It has a more intense flavour, depth, and aroma.
What should you grind in a mortar? Try cardamom seeds, add cloves, three star anise, allspice, and a few black peppercorns. Mix this aromatic powder with ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
You can store this homemade gingerbread spice in a closed container for up to three months.
A simple recipe for gingerbread with red beans
If you want to bake gingerbread in a classic loaf pan, here are the ingredients you'll need:
- 400 g all-purpose flour,
- 20 g canned red beans,
- 1 banana,
- 100 g sugar,
- 100 ml oil,
- 1.5 tablespoons gingerbread spice,
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder,
- 1 teaspoon baking soda,
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder,
- 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Preparation
- Put the canned beans, banana, sugar, and oil into a blender and blend until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, gingerbread spice, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Transfer the bean mixture to the dry ingredients and stir with a spoon.
- Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Transfer the batter to a loaf pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 50 minutes.
This healthy gingerbread can be sliced and layered with homemade plum jam. It tastes great drizzled with melted dark chocolate. Additionally, you can decorate it with ground nuts or almond flakes.
