On the Pulse - Cheap Easy Pulse Recipes (2024)

By

Elaine Lemm

On the Pulse - Cheap Easy Pulse Recipes (1)

Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.

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Updated on 06/16/20

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A pulse is the edible seed of leguminous plants, sometimes eaten fresh but usually dried and includes all beans, peas, and lentils.They are high in protein, so good for vegetarians and a healthy choice for meat eaters alike. Pulses are a slow-release carbohydrate so help you to feel fuller for longer and also addfiberto your diet.

Importantly, dried pulses are cheapto buy and as they bulk out a meal,you can eat healthily and save money - great for feeding a family or cooking on a budget.

If you think pulses are boring then take a look at the recipes on the following pages. You may just change your mind.

  • 01 of 08

    Fresh Borlotti Bean and Tomato Soup Recipe

    On the Pulse - Cheap Easy Pulse Recipes (3)

    This Fresh borlotti bean and tomato soup recipe is delicious and easy to make, which is perfect for those chilly autumn days. The soup can be made throughout September when fresh borlotti beans are available and home-grown tomatoes are bursting with flavor. You can, of course, use other beans, such as cannellini or flageolet. Not able to get fresh, then use a tin.

    This lovely recipe comes from talented food writer Sybil Kapoor from her lovely book, The Great British Vegetable Cookbook.

  • 02 of 08

    Vegetable and Bean Soup Recipe

    On the Pulse - Cheap Easy Pulse Recipes (4)

    Vegetable and bean soup recipe is the perfect soup recipe for cold days when you need to be warm and nourished. What could be better than a bowl of soup and crusty bread to keep thechill-out? Thebean soupis packed with healthy vegetables and beans to sustain you through the cold weather. Serve a large bowl asthe maincourse, or a smaller portion as a starter.

  • 03 of 08

    Chilli Filled Yorkshire Pudding

    Yorkshire puddings are afavorite British food, especiallywith roast meatsfor Sunday lunch.Filled Yorkshirepuddings make great supper dishes for mid-week, or as an alternative to a roast on Sunday. The risen sides of the Yorkshire pudding turn it into a dish just waiting for a delicious filling. One of our favorite fillings is hot, spicychilicon carne for this chili filled Yorkshire pudding. The punch from the spices is calmed a little by the soft taste of the pudding batter. The chili uses minced/ground beef with lots of red kidney beans and canned tomatoes, good cheap and nutritious foods.

  • 04 of 08

    Chickpea Curry Recipe

    On the Pulse - Cheap Easy Pulse Recipes (6)

    Chickpea Curry not only tastes good it is packedwith healthy ingredients. It is quick and easy to make and is even better if made in advance and kept for a day before eating. ThisChickpea curry recipealso freezes very well so make a batch but omit the fresh coriander garnish until serving.

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.

  • 05 of 08

    Red Lentil and Tomato Soup Recipe

    On the Pulse - Cheap Easy Pulse Recipes (7)

    We all have favorite soup recipes and this red lentil and tomato soup recipe is one of mine. Is it so, so easy and takes very little time if you have some ready made stock.Red lentiland tomato soupisvery nutritious and another great reason for making this soup is, it is also relatively cheap to prepare.
    If you have stock in the freezer, now is the time to use it. No stock? It is fine to use a stock cube for this recipe. Usevegetable stockif you want avegetarian soup,otherwisechicken is good and I also like using thebrothfrom when I have cooked ham as long as it isn't too salty.

  • 06 of 08

    Homemade Baked Beans Recipe

    On the Pulse - Cheap Easy Pulse Recipes (8)

    Opening a can ofbaked beansand serving hot on toast is the ultimate, tasty, fast food.Home baking beansaddanother dimension; not only are they delicious you can control what goes in and avoid the added sugar found in the canned variety.
    Thehomemade baked beans recipeis based on beans I used to cook in Italy, so though not strictly a British recipe, I have cooked then so many times here in the UK, I feel they are allowed.

  • 07 of 08

    Mushy Peas - The Nations Favourite

    On the Pulse - Cheap Easy Pulse Recipes (9)

    Mushy peas are notthe maincourse dish, but a substantial side dish. Mushy peas are an intrinsic part of British food favorite,fish and chipsor with hot pies. There are many impostors out there using frozen and evenfresh peasbut true,traditional mushy peas recipeis made with dried marrowfat peas which require overnight soaking, so a little planning is needed.

  • 08 of 08

    Parched Peas and Vinegar - a Lancashire Tradition

    On the Pulse - Cheap Easy Pulse Recipes (10)

    Parched peas and vinegar, also known in Lancashire as black peas are a traditional treat in the North of England especially when served onBonfire Night​-November 5th.

On the Pulse - Cheap Easy Pulse Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest pulse to eat? ›

9 Healthy Beans and Legumes You Should Try
  • Chickpeas.
  • Lentils.
  • Peas.
  • Kidney beans.
  • Black beans.
  • Soybeans.
  • Pinto beans.
  • Navy beans.

What are the 10 pulses? ›

Toor Dal, Bengal Gram (Chana Dal) , Black Gram (Urad Dal), Red Lentil (Masoor Dal), Kidney Beans (Rajma), Chickpeas (Kabuli Chana/Desi chana) , Soy bean (Bhatwan), Moong beans, Faba Beans, Cowpeas are the 10 pulses.

Which pulse has the highest protein? ›

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea grains have a greater protein content than any other pulse crop, with 60–65% carbohydrate, 6% fat, and between 12 and 31% protein. Chickpeas are high in protein, carbohydrates, and all the essential amino acids.

What are the 5 main benefits of eating pulses? ›

Read on.
  • #1 Pulses are a great source of vitamins and minerals. ...
  • #2 Pulses are a rich source of proteins. ...
  • #3 Pulses possess antioxidant effects. ...
  • #4 Pulses are good for the heart. ...
  • #5 Pulses reduce the risk of diabetes. ...
  • #6 Pulses are a good source of folate. ...
  • #7 Pulses may reduce the risk of cancer.
Feb 10, 2021

What is the number one food for your heart? ›

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , the following foods are the best for your heart: Vegetables: such as leafy greens, broccoli, and carrots. Fruits: such as apples, bananas, and oranges. Whole grains: such as plain oatmeal, brown rice, and whole-grain bread or tortillas.

What is the number one food to slow heart rate? ›

Potassium can help regulate your heart rate and can reduce the effect that sodium has on your blood pressure. Foods like bananas, melons, oranges, apricots, avocados, dairy, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tuna, salmon, beans, nuts, and seeds have lots of potassium.

What vegetable is a pulse? ›

A pulse is the edible seed from a legume plant. Pulses include beans, lentils, and peas. For example, a pea pod is a legume, but the pea inside the pod is the pulse.

Is rice a pulse? ›

Cereals and pulses are collectively known as food grains. Wheat, Rice, corn, dry beans are all examples of Cereals and pulses. Pulses are mostly dry seeds. Cereals are of the grain category.

Are chickpeas beans or pulses? ›

Pulses are part of the legume family (any plants that grow in pods), but the term “pulse” refers only to the dry edible seed within the pod. Beans, lentils, chickpeas and split peas are the most common types of pulses. Pulses are special because they have distinct health benefits apart from other legumes.

What beans are the healthiest? ›

Beans, such as black beans, garbanzo beans, and lima beans, are amongst the most nutritious foods you can eat. They're rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, and other nutrients that tend to be low in modern-day diets.

What vegetable is the highest in protein? ›

And what are the best sources for protein?
  • Green peas. Green peas are at the top of the list of the most protein-filled vegetables. ...
  • Spinach. A big crisp spinach salad is certainly refreshing, especially on a hot day in the South. ...
  • Collard greens. ...
  • Sweet corn. ...
  • Mustard greens. ...
  • Lima beans. ...
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Broccoli.

Are potatoes high in protein? ›

{Play}Yes, potatoes have some surprisingly high quality protein. A medium potato has 3 grams of protein, more than most vegetables and about the same amount as 1/3 cup of milk. The quality of the potato protein, including how easy it is to digest and the amino acids it contains, is considered to be high.

Which one is not good for health? ›

Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, poor diet, and chronic stress are all detrimental to one's health.

Is it OK to eat pulses every day? ›

Pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans are excellent sources of plant-based protein. Consuming them regularly helps meet your protein needs.

Are peas as healthy as beans? ›

Like vegetables – beans, peas, and lentils are excellent sources of fiber, folate, and potassium. And like protein foods – they are excellent sources of plant protein, also providing iron and zinc.

What are the healthiest peas to eat? ›

Green peas are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt. They are a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin B6, folate, and magnesium. They are also an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, thiamin, and manganese.

What are the healthiest beans to eat? ›

Some of the healthiest beans to consume include:
  • Black beans: Often known as turtle beans, black beans are inexpensive and widely available in supermarkets. ...
  • Kidney beans: ...
  • Lima beans: ...
  • Soybeans: ...
  • Chickpeas: ...
  • Pinto beans: ...
  • Navy beans:

What is the healthiest pulse rate? ›

A normal resting heart rate should be between 60 to 100 beats per minute, but it can vary from minute to minute. Your age and general health can also affect your pulse rate, so it's important to remember that a 'normal' pulse can vary from person to person.

Which color lentil is healthiest? ›

Black Lentils (Beluga lentils)

Thanks to the robust flavor, these lentils pair well with meaty veggies and marinated proteins like mushrooms, tofu, and seitan. Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.

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