The Product Line
“President’s Choice Blue Menu has launched its fall products which focus on giving you more: more protein, more fibre, more vegetables and more great taste. These products are the perfect staple to a back-to-school or back-to-work lunch to make sure everyone is energized and full throughout their busy and active day.”
I know, I know… I do not want to think about summer ending either but we are nearing that time and President’s Choice has got your back. They sent me a couple of products to review including their PC Blue Menu Frozen Black Beans.
The Product
I admit that one of the healthy foods I resist eating are legumes so could these frozen black beans be so much more convenient that I would use them in my recipes more often?
How did they stack up to the canned beans or the dried beans that I make in my Instant Pot?
First, I like that there is no salt added. Second, I was worried that the beans would clump together too much but overall they were pretty easy to break apart so I could control portioning.
The Recipe Test
The one thing I make ALL the time is my Beef, Black Beans and Rice Recipe. It has gone through a lot of transformations since I made this print out over ten years ago! I was already planning on making it for dinner so… Let’s do this!
The Preparation
When I saw on the cover of the package “Ready in 2 Minutes” I was impressed. Until I saw that you had to microwave them to get them to cook that quickly! I try and avoid the microwave at all cost so I had to make them on my stovetop.
I brought water to a boil, added the beans, turned down the heat and simmered for 8 minutes.
I strained and then rinsed them.
Utilizing The Product
Then I added them to the dish and cooked as usual.
Foodie Conclusion
That was NOT easier than opening and rinsing a can of black beans. Not at all. Now, the texture and flavour were exactly the same. I was worried they would be kind of crunchy (I LOATHE under-cooked beans) but nope, they were fine. Reg did not even notice a difference and I have been making this dinner for forever.
For those who usually cook their own beans PC Blue Menu Frozen Black Beans will be more convenient and less time consuming. For those who are comfortable with just opening and rinsing a can of beans, this actually adds time and uses a microwave for the most efficient time-saving method. Which I do not do.
I wish you could just dump and use these beans. If so they would have gotten a perfect rating from me but the extra work involved is enough for me to just keep making them myself in my Instant Pot and freezing them so I can use them as-is to save time. As a result, I give PC Blue Menu Frozen Black Beans four out of five wooden spoons.
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I’ve been trying to get away from using canned foods, as we are learning about the health risks of the can linings. So I might try these, when I don’t have time to start from scratch with dried beans. Thanks for reviewing them, Suzie!
Yes, for those like you Joanie who do not want to use canned but also do not want to cook beans from scratch this is a winner product. Makes total sense!
Where can these be purchase in the Simpsonville/Greenville SC area?
Probably at any Loblaws-affiliated store. Just give them a call and see!