Is 15 Bean Soup the Side or the Main Dish?

[rebeccam90]

So I decided to try making 15 bean soup today. I just got a crock-pot, so it's in there slow cooking. I added 3 chicken breasts, too, that I am going to shred before the last hour of cooking (as per the recipe I found).

But my question is does this count as my main dish or as a side to a main dish? Or what sides will go with 15 bean soup? Or will just eating this alone be enough because the chicken breasts will help fill me up? Anybody have any low carb or high fiber ideas to add alongside the soup? Please and thanks in advance to any suggestions anybody has! 

[missy9799]

For myself I would consider this as a meal in itself.  I agree the chicken would give you the protien that you need, but the beans give you the carbs, which will break down to starches/sugars.  I've been using multi grain (5 grain) crackers as a side to some dishes.  I like eating...I can have 14 crackers with only 5 grams of fat.

[rebeccam90]

It does sound like a full meal on its own. I just hope it doesn't leave me hungry an hour or so later. I will have to go to the store for some multi grain crackers for tomorrow's leftover meal maybe. Right now I only have the usual Saltine crackers, and I haven't looked, but I'm pretty sure they are heavy in carbs. Thanks for the idea!

[LionLady]

You might consider cooking some brown rice, and maybe adding some shredded kale for additional nutrition, as a side dish for this healthy sounding meal. It will help keep the hungries at bay longer.

One hint: chicken breasts (especially boneless/skinless) tend to get bone dry, tough and stringy when cooking in a crock pot. Add them later in the recipe (like, near the end), or use skinless chicken thighs, next time.

[missy9799]

Let me know how it all went for you.  Do you like the crackers.  I buy them in Bulk because my daughter likes them.  Myself, I get bored hungry.  Without soundind "dirty" I think I like the hand-to-mouth aspect a little too.   Much like a smoker.   So, I chew a lot of gum  lol Doesn't help my TMJ..

Spoiler

[Robcorc]

Rice is a good idea--beans and rice together make a complete protein. We eat bean and split pea soups frequently, and they are always our main--very hearty food on its own. I sometimes will serve with corn muffins or sprouted whole grain bread. The sprouted stuff is obviously far better from a low carb point of view. Saltines? Not so much. White=highly processed=converts directly to sugar on your palate.

[rebeccam90]

LionLady - I will definitely try adding brown rice to the mix, and maybe some kale too.

In this recipe, I shredded the chicken after it cooked, so its wasn't tough or dry in the end. But I will try adding it later next time. How long do chicken breasts take to cook through properly in a crock pot, say with chicken broth and on high heat? Boneless/skinless or bone-in/skin-on.

missy9799 - I was out of town over the long weekend and didn't get to do any grocery shopping. I will try to buy a small pack of those crackers this weekend. I don't want to buy in bulk because I am trying to cut back on carbs. Bored hungry, I know it. I am a picky eater that gets full quick but hungry pretty quick afterwards. But having things like crackers around will end with me eating way more than necessary because they are there haha. What sucks the most is that I ended up not liking the 15 bean soup very much and now there is still about 10 servings leftover in the freezer. I don't hate it, but don't love it much either. So now I have to find meals I love and use the soup as a side with plenty of salt added.

Robcorc - I know saltines are very much bad, but they taste so good! I only have them around because I recently got a little bout of food poisoning and its what sat best in my stomach. I have brown rice though, and I will cook some to eat alongside the beans. I just need a different main dish to eat because the bean soup turned out not to be my favorite.

[Robcorc]

I am also a fan of the saltines. They seem perfect with my chili. And people ask me to throw parties just so I will make my famous tuna salad, which is only "right" when served with saltines. I feel our pain.

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[HelenaFitbit]

Oh I need this recipe, sounds yummy! 

[Carm912]

Don’t use the seasoning packet that comes with the beans . Season to taste . I use smoked paprika , chili seasoning  ,garlic , salt and pepper . Also use chicken broth instead of water and add a can of rotel along with my meat which is usually ham of some sort . Delicious and filing