FOOD NEWS
Mash Canned Cannellini Beans To Get A Dairy-Free Soup Thickener
BY WENDY MEAD
Milk or cream are common thickeners used to make a soup richer and thicker, but for those who avoid dairy for dietary or health reasons, beans can actually serve the same purpose.
Cannellini beans, also known as white kidney beans, are a neutrally-colored and -flavored bean that can be mashed or pureed into a paste to thicken all kinds of soups.
To try this, pour canned cannellini beans into a bowl without draining them and mash them up. Then, simply stir the paste into a soup to thicken it with no dairy needed.
Cannellini beans are packed with protein and fiber, adding both richness and nutrition to your soup. The mashed beans can also be used to make delicious sauces.
By blending mashed beans with some sauteed garlic and fresh herbs, you can make a quick and easy vegan pasta sauce that clings to noodles just like a dairy cream sauce.