black eyed beans as a substitute for black beans?

[ethandron]

i'm doing delia smiths black bean chilli with avacado salsa but couldn't get any dried (or tinned) black beans in the shops. instead, i bought dried black eyed beans as they're the nearest in size. do you think they make an acceptable substitute? are black beans full of a flavour which the chilli will need or are they, as most beans are, more for the texture? the only time i've had black beans is in chinese black bean sauce which is fairly hot-ish but is this due to the beans or something else? thanks.

[coccinelle]

Hi there ethandron how are you doing?
I love black beans and they do make lovely chillis, I often mix kidney beans, black beans and pinto beans together. Never tried black eyed beans but worth a try, I'd say.
Black beans have a lovely, nutty taste and are 'smoother' than some other beans.

[ethandron]

bonjour coccinelle :) i'm doing ok thanks, what about you? how're your hormones these days? we'll be spending a few weeks in your lovely part of the world in a couple of months, can't wait.
thanks for your input about the beans. i'm not making it until saturday so will keep my eyes open for the black beans but if i don't find them i'll use the black eyed ones. i wouldn't normally be so fussy but we're having friends round and i want to make a really nice meal for them as they keep an eye on our house when we're away. am making delias chocolate marscapone cheesecake with fruit and nuts for pud - what do you think?? managed to find some scrumptious mediterranean bread in asda too.

[aniani]

Black beans are usually available in Sainsbury's. This is an excellent recipe which is always successful.

[ethandron]

oh thanks aniani, i've never made it before but our friends do love chilli and curry so that's why i'm doing it. and it looks really nice in the picture :) good to have a recommendation.
as i said, if i get time i'll see if i can get the black beans and now i know where to look.

[coccinelle]

Hormones lying lower than normal but still wake up in early hours with hot flushes, thank you.
I get my beans brought over from sainsbury's so that's the place to go.
Chocolate marscapone cheesescake sounds nice but might be too 'brown' after a black bean chilli. Why not go for a Pavlova? Looks very impressive and the trick is leaving the meringue to cool completely in the oven overnight.
If you're going near the Vendée you might get your feet wet...!!

[ethandron]

hadn't thought of all the 'brown-ness' - doh! i've bought all the ingredients now too, marscarpone, fromage frais, etc., and they won't keep. oh well, must remember for next time :(
yep, we've been keeping an eye on the weather, looks like you've been experiencing some dreadful storms. we're travelling down through austria and germany, into italy for ten days, and then spending a couple of weeks in the french alps, working our way back up through eastern france to dunkerq. hopefully, even if the weather is still pretty bad, being so far inland we may just escape it. hope you've not been affected?