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Practical Eating

Black Bean...Brownies?

Black Bean Brownie (Via Clockwork Grue.)

Yesterday afternoon I made vegan brownies. Today I rave about them. Not only are they egg and dairy free, but they are sans gluten and soy. How? The main ingredients are a can of black beans, bananas, rolled oats and unsweetened cocoa. Consider them a protein-packed breakfast, lunch and snack food all in one. Now, the consistency is more akin to fudge than traditional brownie due to the lack of flour, but that will not get in the way of satisfying your chocolate jones.

Get this:

• 1 can of black beans, rinsed
• 2 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa
• 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup of granulated sugar (depending on your sweet tooth)
• 1 Tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsps. vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup instant rolled oats

Do this:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Puree in a blender all the ingredients except the oats (and chips/walnuts/coconut).  
• Add the oats and mix well. Pour the puree into a greased, 8-inch square pan.
• Bake for 20 to 30 minutes depending on your oven's temperature. You'll know they're done when you dip a clean knife into the center and it comes out clean.
• Cool completely before eating. 

If you want to go crazy, try adding chocolate chips, walnuts or shredded coconut to the bowl just before you pour it into a pan.