Pulses | Food Trends | Whole Foods Market

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Pulses | Food Trends | Whole Foods Market https://youtu.be/lcy2ERM3pl0 via @YouTube

International Year of Pulses 2016

http://www.fao.org/pulses-2016/en/

Whole Story | The Official Whole Foods Market® Blog

With a goal of heightening public awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed towards food security and nutrition, the UN General Assembly declared 2016 the “year of pulses” and with good reason. These nutritional powerhouses are eaten all over the world as an economical and easy-to-prepare vegetarian staple.

What Are Pulses?

Pulses include lentils, chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans), kidney beans, mung beans, lima beans, and more. Pulses are crops that are grown and harvested for their dry seed (unlike green beans, which are considered vegetables).

Pulses are commonly used as meatless swaps or simply enjoyed in their own right. If you enjoy Mexican, Mediterranean or Indian food, you probably love pulses!
Here are some great ways to use pulses:

Add cooked pulses to your favorite green salad recipe (lentils are awesome for this, but try mung bean or adzuki beans, too)
Make our Lentil Sloppy Joes
Use as a topping for hearty nachos
Stuff into tortillas with fresh vegetables for tasty tacos
Mix with cooked rice for an easy, traditional meal
Blend into creamy soups such as Creamy Black Bean Soup
Make a grain-based salad and incorporate pulses and nuts
Cook and freeze large batches ahead of time so you have a ready-made meal component
Mash for sandwich fillings — hummus pita, anyone?
Purée into flavorful dips (and double up on pulse power with our Lentil Crackers)

For more inspiration on pulses, check out our favorite pulse recipes.

Curious about what else is hot in the kitchen? Check out our posts on