Bright & Rooted Rosemary White Beans
A Recipe
A sunrise breakfast (plus allergy medicine) in Austin, Texas. There are no beans in this photo because I eat them so quickly that I forget to photograph them! © Maggie Battista 2024
I almost called these beans, Fruity Pebble Beans, because they are so bright and alive, which feels like the opposite of the grounded properties of beans.
On my own spiritual and physical journey, as my body attunes to the aliveness and the vast climate of the south west, I eat these beans to ground and surface self-love.
Some think the drought and dryness of west Texas means there is no aliveness here. In fact, the land is deeply sacred and incredibly alive with healing properties. I feel more connected within here than I ever did on the east coast.
When I first arrived, I heard the call to eat beans and rice. In my little casita, I’d warm up a pre-cooked bag of rice and quickly simmer these beans to go on top. I’d also serve a side of coconut oil fried curly kale on the side. In one bowl, I nourished myself both physical and spiritually.
Don’t be scared of the lemon juice. It beans come alive. It will aid your aliveness, too.
Ingredient Healing & Spiritual Aspects
Before we get to the recipe, here are the healing and spiritual aspects of key ingredients based on research and lived experience:
Coconut oil: Promotes skin, hair, oral, and brain health; supports the immune system; increases good cholesterol; reduces stress; controls blood sugar. Coconut is used to cleanse and purify; in prayer; in ritual baths; in energy healing and massage.
Ginger: Spicy/fiery; relieves nausea; reduces inflammation and infection; balance life force; invoke yang energy; offers protections; promotes abundance; and relieves cramps.
Rosemary: Antioxidant that supports brain health, digestion, anti-inflammation, immune health, and skin health. Spiritually, rosemary symbolizes purification, protection, remembrance, and spiritual self-discovery, enhancing your spiritual journey and connection with the divine.
White Beans: Symbolize abundance, nourishment, prosperity, and health. They can also represent resurrection and reincarnation because they grow spiritually upwards. White beans are also a good source of protein and nutrients, like folate, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
Lemon: Tart; supports immune system; fights infection; reduces inflammation; aids digestion; detoxifies the body; promotes digestion; spiritually supports purification, love, renewal, and progress.
Bright & Rooted Rosemary White Beans
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon unrefined coconut oil
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 4-inch sprig of rosemary
1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 14-ounce can of cooked cannellini or navy beans (using all but 2 tablespoons of their liquid)
1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt
1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, to taste
Directions:
Place a wide frying pan over medium heat. Melt the coconut oil in the pan and lightly cook the ginger and rosemary just to wilt it all; do not let the ginger gather too much golden color. Add the tomatoes, beans, and salt. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to gold in on themselves in the pan. Use a fork to smash some tomatoes to release their juices. Remove the beans from the heat once the tomatoes have offered a light red hue to the dish and the beans are cooked well. Squeeze lemon juice over the beans just before serving.
Today is 1 E’ in the Mayan Sacred Calendar. It is a day for new beginnings as we enter the trecena of E’, an energy focused on the spiritual journey or the path of your physical exploration. You are starting a new adventure, no doubt, so pay close attention to where you may invite this energy into your life today and for the next 13 days. May this recipe support you as you connect to the earth and take your first steps.
