Chapter 15, Salty Beans

Mom has been working with dad for a few months. Tata Beya has fallen sick, and we had to stay home alone. “Only 4 hours a day”, mom thought, “I'll ask our neighbor to look after the boys to make sure they won’t get in trouble”. 

“As a big boy”, she told me, “I would love you to do something for me. I am starting the pot for dinner I will bring it to boil and lower the heat before I leave. You will need to watch over it every hour I want you to stir it for me. Don't cook your brother's elephant like you did last week.” 

“He deserved it,” I said, “he didn't let me play with it and he even broke my wooden toy car I made and hid the drummer monkey.” 

“Yes, I know, but you are the bigger boy, and you should act like one.” 

“OK Mom, I will.”

Beans and onions are what mom made every Tuesday. She would sauté the onions, with salt and a little sugar. She would add the overnight-soaked beans and cook them for many hours. Usually by lunch time it would be ready for us. Dad would come at dinner and have his portion while we are having our light dinner of toast, hard-boiled egg, and salad.

I was a good boy, I did exactly what mom asked me to do. I didn't fight with Avi. I did stir the dish every hour until mom came back from work.

“Go get your brother,” she said, “it's lunch time.” She cut a few slices of bread for us and poured the beans on our dishes. We dipped the bread in the sauce and ate the beans with a fork. It was ok but it lacked salt. Hmm, I just remembered, Dad was complaining lately that the food was lacking a little salt. Maybe Mom lost her touch, working all those hours and not having time to taste it while she was at work. “I was a good boy today”, I thought “I did all she asked. I will fix the dish for Dad he will like it this time.”

“All right kids, it is time to take a nap.” We took naps every afternoon of this hot summer. “Nanou clean up the table and wash the plates while I put your brother to bed and then you too go take a nap.” 

I did just that, I wiped the table clean, washed the plates and utensils and put them to dry. As soon as mom left the room, I took a tablespoon and added three tablespoons of salt to the pot. I stirred it in and went to sleep.

When Dad came for dinner, we were all around the table ready for dinner. Avi had his soft-boiled egg with long strips of white bread to dip in the egg. He would finish his egg with the aid of mom and a small teaspoon. I had my hard-boiled egg cut up on a plate and I forced myself to eat the yellow part by adding a lot of salt. I also ate a slice of bread and dipped it in the salad - cucumber, tomato, pepper and onion. I don't like onions, so I always found a way to move them to the side of the plate and avoid eating it.

What happened next made me drop my fork to the floor, Avi fell back wards and spilled the soft-boiled egg all over and Dad spit all he had in his mouth of the first bight he took from the bean dish and jumped backwards, looking at mom with a confused expression. 

Well, of course, my little behind turned read from the special treatment I received afterward.

 

 

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Onion and Beans (bsal u lubia)

Video

   

  Beans are a source of protein and are very healthy for you. We used to eat this dish with a piece of meat, yet it is also good as a vegan dish without the meat.

Ingredients:
1 Large Onion 
1 TBSP Crushed Garlic 
½ lb. Cubes of Meat (Beef, Chicken or Turkey)
1 Cup White Beans Soaked over night
3 TBSP Olive Oil
1 TBSP Sugar
1 tsp Salt 
½ Can (2 TBSP) Tomato Paste
2 Cups Water 

Preparation:
Soak the beans in water over night. Put the oil in a deep pot and heat it to about 350Fl. Fry the meat to brown the sides. Add the sugar and let it melt. Cut the onion to small pieces and add to pot, sauté with salt and garlic in the pot. When all turns golden brown add the beans, tomato paste and water. Bring to boil and lower the heat. Cover and simmer for 3 hours until beans turn soft.  Serve with bread.

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