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Recipe: Southwest Turkey Wraps

If you’re looking for a black bean recipe full of flavor and protein, look no further! Spice up the average wrap with these great southwestern flavors. Add turkey or chicken and black beans for delicious protein options.
 
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup low fat sour cream
  • 2-3 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapenos
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 4 tortillas (10-inch)
  • 3 cups baby spinach
  • 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken or turkey
  • 1 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained, or 1 3/4 cups cooked dry-packaged black beans
  • 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion
  • 1 avocado
Directions
  1. In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, pickled jalapenos, fresh lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Spread the 4 sandwich wraps with the sour cream mixture leaving a 2-inch border.
  3. In center of wraps, dividing ingredients evenly, layer baby spinach, cooked chicken or turkey, black beans, sliced tomato, onion and avocado.
  4. Fold two sides of wraps over filling, then roll tightly, ending seam sides down.
 
Get more recipes from the U.S. Dry Bean Council here.

Recipe: Black Bean Meatballs

These black bean “meatballs” are the perfect recipe for innovation in the kitchen, caring for your health and without needing much time.
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup black beans cooked until soft
  • 2 tbsp chopped onions
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/3 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp oat flour
  • Optional: olive oil
 
Directions
  1. Blend or process your cooked black beans until they look like a puree (if you want, leave some whole beans for texture!) Mix the chopped onions, dried parsley, salt and oat flour until it’s well combined.
  2. Portion the dough into 7-8 balls. With your hands, shape them to make them even. Place it on a baking sheet. Drizzle a bit of olive oil on top. Bake it in a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 10-15 minutes.
  3. You can also freeze it (raw or baked).
 
Makes up to 8 mini meatballs. Recipe courtesy of Eat USA Beans

Too Hot to Cook

When it’s just too hot to turn on the stove, try this citrusy black bean salad with flavors of the southwest. Serve it with crispy tortilla chips on the side.
 
For the vinaigrette, combine in a blender until smooth:
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp cumin powder
  • ½ tsp chili powder or to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic
 
For the salad, combine:
  • 8 cups salad greens
  • 2 red peppers, diced
  • 1 cup sliced scallions
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
 
Watch a video on how to prepare this dish here.

Research on Dry Bean Row Spacing

Narrower row spacings and higher plant populations are trending in dry bean production. Data from a 2018 dry bean grower survey indicate 39% of black and 44% of navy bean were planted in North Dakota at rates of 110,000 seeds per acre or greater, with the likely goal of establishing at least 100,000 plants per acre. In addition, the survey results record about 70% of black and navy bean in 2018 were planted in row widths ranging from 11 to 25 inches.
 
Based on historic North Dakota work, NDSU recommends an established stand of 90,000 plants per acre for black and navy bean. Research conducted in 1999 to 2000 indicated no seed yield response among black and navy bean planting rates of 90,000, 105,000 and 120,000 pure live seeds (PLS) per acre and a yield increase in one of two years with 7- versus 30-inch row spacings.
 
This publication summarizes NDSU research trials conducted 2014 to 2018 in eastern North Dakota to evaluate potential yield increase of black and navy bean with higher plant populations and narrower rows compared to the traditionally recommended plant density in wide rows. View the research here.

Easy Peasy Beans and Rice

This black beans and rice recipe couldn’t be easier, and chances are you have all the ingredients on hand. It comes together in about 20 minutes. Discover the recipe here

Chinese Dry Bean Production Pegged at 195,000 MT

China’s dry bean production for 2019 is estimated at 195,000 metric tons, with supplies of 221,000 MT.
Both planting and harvest area for black beans in China has been significantly reduced due to a conversion to soybeans and low market prices. The planting and harvest area for dark red kidney beans increased 35 percent from the previous year due to high domestic demand and decreased planting and harvest area in 2018. Market demand for high-grade (also called canned grade) DRK has been high. More exporters are prepared to switch their export business to import.
 

Thrifty Thursday: Cheddar Waffle with Black Beans

This week, Megan Myrdal with the Northarvest Bean Growers Association shared a Cheddar and Cornmeal Waffle with Black Beans recipe on North Dakota Today. It’s both satisfying and delicious. At just $0.83 per serving, this recipe definitely won’t break the bank!

View the Thrifty Thursday Segment

Kick Off Your Summer with Black Bean Burgers

With fiber-rich, protein-packed beans as their base, there is a reason that Chili’s iconic black bean burger is listed as the “guiltless” option on their menu.
 
If you’re a fan of these tasty burgers, you can make them at home for a weekend barbecue or fast weeknight supper. This copycat recipe suggests frying the burgers in a small amount of vegetable oil, but you can also place the burgers in a grilling basket and cook them over the grill.
 

Dry Bean Scene

Vice President Mike Pence met with farmers in rural Glyndon, Minnesota. Dry beans were apart of the conversation, as Borup farmer Mark Harless had the opportunity to speak with Pence. Get the details in the Dry Bean Scene on the Red River Farm Network, made possible by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.

Black Bean Prices in Brazil Pull Upward

Sao Paulo wholesale carioca bean prices in February were as high as $1,713 per metric ton, double the price in January. The price spike was due to reduced first crop production and weather‐induced crop damage.

Prices reported the first week of March at the Sao Paulo bolsinha were lower, carioca especial (above commercial grade) averaged $1,370/MT, but there is very limited availability. Consumers are reportedly buying second‐rate cariocas or switching to alternatives like black beans. Black bean prices were therefore pulled upward.

Sao Paulo wholesale prices climbed from $844/MT in January to $1,112/MT in February—the first of March average price was $870/MT. At the end of March, the first beans from the second harvest in southern states start to enter the market, but May is the peak.

Marcel Lüders, head of IBRAFE, notes that right now there are not enough beans to meet consumer demand. The U.S. Dry Bean Council ANUFOOD trade mission team is in Brazil this week and will give an update on the market outlook late next week.