Kathie,

If you had not started this thread, someone else would have -- probably me. This forum was just estabished and has gotten off to a quick start. Bean cookery certainly is appropriate here. Have you seen the thread 'Legums are good to be around'? It has some interesting discussion of nutrition.

Like you, I recently had a coronary procedure, a couple of stents installed, and have become very diet conscious. The Meditteranean Diet appeals to me. I would enjoy it even if it were bad for me. I think beans offer some of the best heart healthy eating.

I'll kick this off with a recipe. I'll give it it's own post. I know there are good cooks hanging around here and we will get lots of good recipes.

Also, the Harvest thread often has good recipe discussions as well as the Cooking (?) forum.

Jim

Lentil Soup

1/2 lb. lentils
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
4 cups water
1 beef bouillon cube
1/2 tsp. dry thyme
1/4 tsp. cayenne or hot sauce to taste
1 can diced tomatoes
2 Tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. salt

Heat olive oil in soup pot. Add vegetables and saute, turning occasionally for about 10 minutes.

Add other ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover. Reduce heat and maintain a simmer for one hour. Add water if necessary to keep a thick, but liquid, consistency.

Taste for seasonings and adjust to your taste.

This recipe is easy. The only work is peeling and chopping vegetables and that's not much. Relax and surf Garden Web for an hour while it cooks.

Jim

Someone already did start such a thread here it simply rolled off the edge of the page.

jimster is right about the cooking forum. Here is the recipe exchange address:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/recipex/

Very knowledgeable people over there, who've actually practiced what they preach. It's nice to get a recipe and have feedback/experience, etc...

Also, foodtv.com has a huge recipe collection. People who have tried them can post comments/suggestions for each individual recipe so you can get a feel for how it would taste.

There is also a special diet forum. I haven't visited it but here is the address:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/specex/

Kathie and Jim,
Moong will be helpful in your problem.You can use moong two ways in your diet:

1. Use sprouted moongs in diet.
   
   2.Soak moongs for hour or so and drain out extra water.
   Cook them in boiling water till they become soft and well cooked.keep the water in such amount that at the end when cooked the volume of water to moong remains approx. in prop. of 2:1. Let it cool down and drink the water as needed and Eat the cooked moong. You may add salt and pepper for taste.