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cannellini bean = white kidney bean = fazolia bean Equivalents: 1 cup dried beans yields 2 1/2 cups cooked beans Notes: You've probably already encountered this Italian bean in minestrone soup or a bean salad. It's prized for its smooth texture and nutty flavor. Substitutes: fresh cannellini bean OR Great Northern bean OR navy bean OR calypso bean (black and white coloring; takes less time to cook) OR flageolets



Beans are low in fat and loaded with nutrients, and we'd probably eat more of them if they weren't also loaded with flatulence-producing enzymes. There are ways to enjoy beans without having to forego social appointments, however. One is to change the water from time to time while you're soaking or cooking the beans. Pouring off the water helps gets rid of the indigestible complex sugars that create gas in your intestine. It also helps to cook the beans thoroughly, until they can be easily mashed with a fork. Most bean aficionados prefer dried beans, but canned beans are also available. These don't need to be cooked, but they tend to be saltier and less flavorful than reconstituted dried beans.