I usually make it when I have some ham around, as I like ham and bean. Of course, the vegetarians in the crowd will prefer to leave it out.

and extra, fresh garlic, IMO. Between the two, you'll never miss the pork or ham.

Trust me, I'd miss the ham.

I also make it with dried beans. Takes a little longer, but worth it.

This is a recipe I am not going to be making. And what a waste of perfectly good asparagus.

Of course, if you have the time, making the beans from scratch is better. And when asparagus is $1 a bunch at the farmers market, why not?

Last edited Sun Apr 5, 2015, 06:25 PM - Edit history (3)

Some need to use what they can afford and get by just fine on that, thank you very much. If something doesn't sound good, or should I say good enough for you, why even comment at all let alone leave such a snobby one?

ETA: And sometimes people who love and make dishes that are special from their childhood, use what their mothers and/or grandmothers used so they taste the same as they did back then. Even though I love freshly shredded parmesan, I still buy and use the grated stuff in the green can for some dishes, such as binding my meatballs and meat loaf instead of using bread crumbs, or in a bowl of my homemade Italian Wedding Soup, because that's how I ate it while growing up, and that's how I love it. And I don't care what anyone else thinks about that, either, because my cherished food memories are more important than anyone who wishes to turn their noses up at it.

In the gastronomically impoverished 1950s, still prefers Hellman's mayonnaise to my home-made mayo. And there is one dish she makes which has a sauce based on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup.

However, dried beans are cheaper than canned ones and taste better, and fresh garlic is also cheaper than granulated.

Your response to bif, in both tone and content, was very critical. If anyone doesn't care for someone's recipe offering, they're free to just scroll rather than troll.

I was just saying that to me, using granulated garlic and canned beans is wrong. Fresh garlic is both cheaper and tastes better than granulated. If I know I am going to make something with beans on the next day, soaking dried beans overnight takes slightly more work than opening a can.

Both are time savers that actually save no real time.

and then there is criticism, two different things. The first being constructive, the second tone deaf to its insult.

Suggestions have always been shared and welcome here, bald criticism not so much. A matter of courtesy and manners, if you will.

Toodles, and have a good day.

I thought the comment was a bit snotty too, but I didn't want to ruffle any feathers. There are plenty of other forums on DU where people get into disputes and I didn't want that to happen here.

Conflict in GD is one thing, I agree with you that it doesn't belong here. Everyone should be able to peacefully offer their favorite recipes and suggestions without expectations of being treated poorly. Opinions are fine when respectfully offered.

And I honestly say this as someone who admits to once insulting someone here, albeit completely unintentionally, and learned from it, as well as interactions with others both on other message boards and IRL.