Sweet Bean Pie !! from the Nation of Islam
Eeeww Bean Pie??? you say!…. I know huh! I remember when my husband Demetris mentioned Bean Pie to me…..my instant reaction was eewww dude that sounds gross!! being that I am not a big bean lover & for the beans I do eat, I’m rather picky about how they are made. I also do NOT eat Pies such as Sweet Potatoe Pie or Pumpkin Pie.
The Bean Pie was ….Born in the Nation of Islam.. a religious black nationalist and social reform movement formed in the 1930’s, and led by Elijah Muhammad. Elijah Muhammad wrote a book called “How to Eat to Live” , where he detailed healthy eating guidelines, to improve and prolong life. The Bean Pie is made of Navy Beans, with basic core ingredients, such as sugar, butter, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bakers will add their own touch of flavors such as cloves, ginger and more.
The thought of Bean and Pie put together is hard to digest in ones train of thought, let alone to taste 🙂 Well I am a brave one! I took my first bite nine years ago , with the thought in mind on how quickly I will be spitting this out ….. & of course to my surprise I was overwhelmed by the sweet smooth taste. I learnt that it can be eaten warm, cold or hot… I prefer nice and chilled 🙂
Now the downside to the bean Pie is that it is NOT mass produced, and you really need to find a reliable producer/baker…… Because its not cool when we are needing that bean Pie Fix and not being able to find it anywhere …. our supplier is a good 35 mins away, so we make that trip worthwhile, to find that sometimes they are closed grrrrr frustrating it is!!..lol …the other option is to look out for community followers who sell bean pies for fundraising….they are normally dressed in suits 🙂 . I have made my own and definitely need practice 🙂
I have officially hooked all my kids onto the Bean Pie. serve it with a chilled cup of milk and there you go 🙂
I have included a recipe, now there is always a disagreement on whats the best and original recipe….. so its completely personal taste I think and most people add their own touch to every recipe… I for one am a culprit to doing this to almost every recipe.
This recipe makes two 9 inch pies.
Nation of Islam Navy Bean Pies
2 cups cooked navy beans (drained canned are fine to use)
4 eggs
1 14oz. can of evaporated milk
1 stick of butter (softened)
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tablesppons flour
2 cups sugar
2 Tablespoons vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line two 9 inch pie plates with crust. Dot a few holes with the end of sharp
knife or fork a few times.
In large mixing bowl mash beans with a potato masher, add the butter, milk,
eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon and flour. Mix with electric hand mixer until well
blended 2-3 minutes. Add sugar and vanilla and blend. Pour mixture into the
two pie shells and bake about one hour, until golden brown and set.
So go on be Brave try one or make one you will NOT regret it.
For a more in depth cultural history on the Bean Pie I came across this wonderful writer check it out Bean Pie my Brother?
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[…] Pictured: my first ever attempt at cooking a bean pie, needs a lot of work. If you’re interested in trying to make one on your own, here’s a recipe to get you started: https://marielacampbellphotography.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/sweet-bean-pie-from-the-nation-of-islam/ […]
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[…] interesting facts about their origins. They’re actually a fairly modern food brought about by the Nation of Islam. The founder, Elijah Muhammed said in his book “How to Eat to Live” of the navy bean: This bean […]
Mariela Campbell Photography 
Awesome Recipe!
This is my second time making this! And it is ALWAYS AMAZING.
Bean pies are my favorite I will be making some on thanksgiving.thank you for the recipe
Thank you for your feedback.
I love me some bean pie! Every time l eat a slice, it always reminds me that I’m just a white cracker. 🤣😂
You sure are.
Since the crust is not made from the authentic crust recipe there could be pork derivatives in the crust. From what I’m reading every one makes the navy bean recipe with instructions to pour into pie shells. For me it’s not authentic. Where’s the the orginal recipe for the crust made from whole wheat flour. One of the reasons why the Bean Pie was so unique.
Absolutely!
Smh not can beans
Love your photography.
TRY THIS NEW PRODUCT. JUST CAME OUT. INTISAR’S INSTANT NAVY BEAN PIE MIX. DON’T LET THE WORD INSTANT FOOL YOU. THIS PIE TASTE JUST LIKE THE ORIGINAL ONE. JUST ADD WATER. http://WWW.RENAYSPACE.COM/INSTANT-NAVY-BEAN-PIE.
I won second place in a pie contest with this pie!
I used this recipe and made 2 regular and 24 baby pies. I doubled the recipe. I cannot thank you enough for sharing this. The pies turned out wonderful and are very delicious
https://takipcihileleriniz.com/blog/en-guvenli-takipci-hileleri/
Is there a technique to get it dark on the top and white on the inside? I’ve made bean pie before and it tastes amazing, but it’s always a light caramel color instead of the two. Please let me know! Thanks 🙂
Lightly brush top of pie with egg white put in slightly heated oven until golden brown 😋
Use one cup white sugar and one cup dark brown sugar.
I use sugar in the raw
You have to follow the recipe to the letter. The sugar and the vanilla have to go in last and be blended very little so that it can float and sit on the top. And don’t Over mix
I bake mine a little longer and they look just like this!
Greetings, brothers and sisters, this focus is on the the vanilla used in any recipe. Especially, when referring to vanilla extract or any flavoring extracts. Keep in mind that Islam prohibits the use of alcohol in any way that has intoxicating components in Halal cooking or baking. Be aware that the “finest” of these extracts have a high volume of alcohol(15-30%) in some instances. I know what you may be saying, the alcohol cooks out! Now let’s look at the complete picture. Let’s say that there is a glass that was used for to hold human waste. You wash and wash and sanitize and sanitize that glass. Would you drink from that glass knowing what used to be in that glass? I know I would not, and chances are you would not use that glass to drink from either, even if it was sanitize with acid and bleach! Keep in mind if foods that are certified Kosher are inter changeable for consumption, but not Halal if there is the presence of alcohol according to the Muslim Consumer Group teachings. Even if the foods are certified with the certified Kosher symbols. So, with that in mind. Here are some wholesome alternatives. The best alternative is the non-alcoholic vanilla extract by Trader Joe’s and the non-alcoholic almond extract from Whole Foods Market. They are free of any type of alcohol. There is a Muslim Lady on a website called my Halal Kitchen where she uses baking emulsions in her baking that contains a alcohol that is permissible. Meaning, that the emulsion does not have any intoxicant component, and is considered Halal. The company brand that I bake with are the baking emultions from the LoriAnne Company. The alcohol used in the emulsion is the non-intoxicant type. The LoriAnne Company also have large selection of consentrated food grade flavored oils that are very strong in flavor that serve as flavoring extracts that are used in candy making that have absolutely no alcohol in them, if you want to be on the safe side. These can be obtained directly from the LoriAnne website, or at diverse big city supermarkets. The other choice is use the flavoring known as vanillian. A alcohol-free vanilla flavoring. On the savory side of Halal cooking, soy sauce in particular. Pearl River Bridge naturally brewed soy sauce is Halal, it has a Halal symbol clearly displayed on the bottle. This is the case with all of the Pearl River Bridge products. The other Halal products are by the La Choy Company, but the taste is not as good as Pearl River Bridge. I hope that my knowledge has been helpful to you all. Take care!
Using a whole Vanilla Bean is always a safe pure choice.
The keyword is intoxicating. If you get intoxicated from vanilla extract, that’s just mental. You must understand that alcohol has different meanings. They don’t add the type of alcohol that you drink at a bar. The alcohol is what the vanilla bean produces. No one gets intoxicated from vanilla.
that is incorrect, alcohol is alcohol is alcohol. vanilla extract is just a tincture. The alcohol serves as a solvent to extract the flavonoids in the vanilla bean. if you use this along with most extracts then you are consuming alcohol. That being said, alcohol has a low boiling point and may be released during the cooking process but this is when boiling. It may leach into the food you’re cooking. May.
For clarification, making my own vanilla and extracts always call for vodka, rum, whiskey and other alcohol. Even on the bottles of commercial brands most of them list alcohol percentages. The original poster is correct.
Love it and true it’s just customs no don’t bring it to a beautiful dessert
Lol true agree
I cannot agree with this comparison of glass, because the heat literally denatures the alcohol; simply put, it ceases to be alcohol.
On the other hand, glass would remain to be glass.
In order to be a true argument and accurate comparison, the glass would have to completely stop being glass or disappear.
That being said, I respect your integrity and adherence to your religion and its tenets.
Love this recipe, 2nd go round. Living in San Diego, you would fine mean of Islam selling bean pies awww like heaven love them 10 X’s better then pumpkin which never liked & sweet potato pie I did like. Thank you for sharing
How do you get that layer on top?
I have tried the supreme pies from Chicago and the small pies from mosques in St. Louis need your next my sister. They good!
I love this pie. I make it all the time it reminds of the 70’s. When life was soooooo good. Thank you for sharing. Peace and Blessings.
what kind of flour, seft rising or all purpose ?
The topping is totally different how do you make the topping?
That is not a topping. Once you take it out of the oven you are supposed to cover it with plastic wrap. once it cools, you will get that topping. I’ve been making my own for years. I use less sugar.
Thank you for this tip.
I made it, and it came out wonderful.
So wish you can make me one so I can buy it I stay in Inkster mich.
THIS CAN MADE AND SHIPPED TO YOU IM IN CLEVELAND OHIO AND OWN A BAKERY NAMED SHABAZZ BAKERY AND IM FAMOUS FOR ISLAM BEAN PIE… YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT K.I.S.SPROPERTY17@GMAIL.COM
I love the Nation of Islam’s bean pies and bean soup.I am making it today.
My husband loves this pie. It is his favorite.
Getting ready to try to make this sounds great thanks for sharing this
Im 11 and its real yummy!Thank you Ma,am:)
I love this recipe is put everything in the blender except the sugar and vanilla it’s great. Thank you Sister.
I made this pie for the 4th of July weekend, and it was the biggest hit on the dessert table! I love this recipe and will use it from here on out! It is the best home made bean pie I’ve ever had, and taste the most like the original bean pies that the Muslims sale! Thank you so much Mariela for sharing this recipe.
I love this pie yum!!!!
I’m so called white girl my husband introduced to bean pie wow I love it so does my 11 yr daughter
It an hour alway to get one. I have to learn how to make one
Thank you
Looks very good, thank you, Mariela, and everyone contributing tips for gluten and dairy free substitution tips, too! Will try this Thanksgiving!
If using dried beans, do you soak over night and then cook? If so, how long do you cook them? Have you ever used a pressure cooker to cook the beans? I haven’t purchased all of the ingredients yet so I do not have a package to refer to yet.
Of course. Use cooked beans and mash them. If you don’t know how to cook beans, you can pop open a can, drain them (they’re cooked, trust me) then mash those instead.
I have found that I prefer using dry beans over canned beans. Soaking might be good although I have never done it. I just cook the beans until they are super tender and then I use an immersion blender to make them smooth. Then I proceed with the recipe
Thank you for replying to all of the post. I’ve learned so much from your replies.
I tried to make a bean pie and it was very dry and the consistency was not like a custard filling. What do I do wrong. Thx
I use this recipe, but I mix my ingredients in a food processor. I feel that this method better blends the ingredients and gives the filling a really smooth consistency. So far, every pie has been a winner. Also, make sure to use evaporated milk. Half of the water is removed from evaporated milk, which may contribute to the pie’s creamy/custard quality.
Obj. That sounds divine I’ll definitely try your method. Ty:)
Im going the food processor. Thank you for suggestion. Did the top of your pie come out like the pictures mariela posted?
Now I will definitely have to try the blender method
Reblogged this on mikeconphoto and commented:
I love bean pies!!
#ATL #MikeCon #Photography
How do u make the crust.
Wow I totally didn’t put that in –
Makes 2 Pie Crusts
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
2/3 cup softened coconut oil or softened butter
Approximately 1/2 cup cold water
Directions:
In a mixer (or by hand if you are daring enough), mix dry ingredients and coconut oil/butter together.
Once you have good looking crumbs, slowly start to add your water.
You should start to have a pliable ball of dough. Once you reach that consistency you can stop adding water. Depending on your flour, you may need to add more/less water. If you add too much, don’t worry! Just add some more flour to the mixture until you reach the right consistency.
On a sheet of wax paper, roll out your dough with a rolling pin. Use extra flour on your rolling pin, wax paper and hands so that the dough doesn’t stick.
Once you have a nice flat and round pie crust area, pick it up – wax paper and all.
Use the wax paper to turn your crust over and place it in your greased pie pan.
Remove wax paper, and shape your pie crust.
Trim the ends around the edge of the pie plate.
From here u add your ingredients and bake it
Are you referring to Vanilla Extract in your ingredients list or the seeds from the actual Vanilla bean?
I used vanilla extract
How do you get that top layer of brown crust above the softer custard, and how do you make the pie filling that orange/yellowish color?
From my experience. It just cooks up that way on its own.
Use about 3 to 4 drops of yellow food dye per 2cups of cooked beans and you will get that gold look . The butter will help.
.
Yes , I also have it cooking its own way I guess sometimes it’s lighter maybe it’s the different oven ranges. No idea 😦
Got this from a baker: Freeze your stick of butter! Add it last. Use a grater or cut into small pieces. If you don’t freeze them, use them cold at least. The colder it is going in the oven, the browner it gets. If you melt the butter before adding it into the mix, it will give you the lighter shade of golden brown when baked.
I hope this helps.
Did you make the pie in the picture?
Yes I did, after many attempts at failing. Lol, it gets better with each try
How do you get the pie to have that top layer of crust, and how do you make the filling that yellowish orange color?
This is not the “Original Bean Pie Recipe “ of the Nation of Islam. The sugar and flour are wrong, plus there are four “key” flavors that goes into the pie.
If there is any on who wants the “Original Recipe” please contact me by email: karman@sbcglobal.net.
Thats awesome that you have another recipe, but like I mentioned in my blog everyone is different, and I never said it was the “Original” recipe… so please share your recipe with us I would love to see it. 🙂
There is always ONE. She never said her recipe was THE original recipe. if you feel this is not a recipe for you, then don’t make it. But by all means don’t try and discredit THIS recipe. If you want to share yours, then just share. why must we email you?
if it a secret, then leave it as such!…
Hi Karman, I would like to know the original
recipe, including the recipe for the crust for the bean pie; many times people will leave out some of the ingredients because (it seems as if) they are not 100% sure they are ready to share the whole recipe. Maybe this is not the case, but people shouldn’t offer something like a recipe half-handed if they’re not wanting or ready to share. I’ve longed for this recipe for a very long time. Thanks
My bean pie mixer can out very thin, is that how it suppose to be, if not how can I make it thicker.
After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are
added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment.
Is there a means you can remove me from that service?
Thanks a lot!
Oh I’m sorry that’s happening, I’m not sure how to do that but I’ll look into it
I’ve used this recipe and it tastes great! The only problem I have is that my pie does not look like the pictures above. It comes out looking a lot lighter. I don’t know if oven type makes a difference, if I’m baking it long enough ( I let it bake an hour ), or if it’s something else.
I want to know how I can get my pie to have the same perfectly brown top, the way it looks in the picture. Thanks.
Hi there Fatir
Try and sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg & brown sugar on the top. 🙂
Hi Mariela, when you make this mixture, is it right after the pie filling is placed into the shells and before going in the oven? Would you be able to provide an example of the measurements you used for this mixture on top? Thanks.
Hi Mariela, when you make this mixture, is it right after the pie filling is placed into the shells and before going in the oven? Would you be able to provide an example of the measurements you used for this mixture on top? Also, some people use the whole egg and I have seen others take off the yolk. Please let me know how you do it. Thanks.
Hello Delia. , mix in 1tspn of each, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar, and sift it over the pie before putting it in the oven to bake. You could also play with it and add 1 egg to the dry mixture , whisk it thoroughly and apply it over the pie with a baking brush. I’ve done both ways I like the moisture , but I also like the vrunch I think it’s a personal touch. Try both ways. Add some of your own twist too 🙂
I’m planning on making this tomorrow. My beans are soaking right now! Just one question: did you use brown or white sugar?
Hi Ella, let me know how it turned out for you, I use brown sugar. Good luck, take some pics 🙂
Thank you so much. I had this recipe a long time ago and thru my travels I have miss placed it. So again Thank you and my peace be with you all of your days.
You are very welcome !
This is an excellent version of the original pie. So good. I really appreciate that it isn’t overly sweet. However, next time I will add a little salt. Also used all organic ingredients. And made only one pie. To make non-glutin crust, use Pamela’s Baking Mix. This one is a keeper. Thank you for posting the recipe.
yay!! I am happy you liked it!…. I must use ALL organic ingredients myself!! and you are very welcome!! please feel free to share your own recipe!!
No problem with sharing… I didn’t change your recipe just the type of ingredients. Fresh and Easy markets carry their brand of canned beans which are organic. Pamela’s baking mix is glutin free and is available at most stores like Sprouts, Fresh and Easy, Whole Foods or online. There are organic milk alternatives like hemp, coconut, almond or oat. But to keep the pie mixture thick use canned full fat coconut. I get my eggs fresh from a local farmer who uses sustainable methods or either buy organic ones from the market. One thing that may send this over the top is to use duck eggs! OMG, they are so rich and delicious. I’ve even used them in making mayonnaise and felt guilty using it because of the richness and goodness. The flour, even though I am trying to be almost glutin free, is from organic wheat because I didn’t want to change your excellent recipe and glad I didn’t.
Interesting, I might give your ingredients a try. sounds delightful!!
thank you for visiting my page 🙂
lol @ Eboni… I can very much say that in our family!! 1 dozen personal Bean pies last for less than 8 hours in my household of 6 …lol
I havee been craving a bean pie since moving back to NC and today I passed a corner where a gentleman was selling. I purchase only one. Big mistake and forced me search for the recipe. THANK YOU
yay…. so have you attempted to bake it? how did it come out? It takes practice don’t expect perfection the first couple of tries!!
How long should the pies bake?
Hi there I am so sorry it took me so long to respond ( I am horrible)
It says there for about an hour, just keep an eye on it It may vary between 45 mins to 1 hour.
Oh yes I was contemplating on putting Elijah Muhammed’s book in for reference 🙂 thank you