Great Recipes for Dips and Spreads, Soups and Stews, Salads and Salsas, and Much More from Rancho Gordo by Steve Sando and Vanessa Barrington.

Who would have thought a simple bean could do so much? Heirloom bean expert Steve Sando provides descriptions of the many varieties now available, from Scarlet ­Runners to the speckled Rio Zape beans.

Nearly 90 recipes in the book will entice readers to cook up bowls of heartwarming Risotto and Cranberry Beans with Pancetta, or Caribbean Black Bean Soup. Close-up photos of the beans make them easy to identify. Packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins, these little treasures are the perfect addition to any meal.

The book has the story of Rancho Gordo, the different heirloom beans in the Rancho Gordo collection and of course lots of great recipes and ideas for using beans.

Some of the recipes are from the Rancho Gordo kitchens, some from top chefs like David Kinch of Manresa. Thomas Keller of French Laundry, Ad Hoc and Bouchon wrote the introduction.

Paperback, 180 pages with color photographs
Published 2008 by Chronicle Books

Not available for shipping to Canada.