Beans are a nutritious food commonly used as a side dish or in salads, soups and casseroles. Vegetarians often use beans combined with a starch like rice as an alternative complete protein source.

You can expand your bean use by making bean flours and using them in place of regular wheat flour. Bean flour is gluten-free and is more easily tolerated by people with gluten sensitivities. Commercial bean flours are often expensive, but you can grind your own at home for less.