Please pardon the iphone photo above. I did what I could with it in my photo editing software, but it's still an iphone photo! ;) I've done a number of stuffed potatoes and sweet potatoes on the site over the years, but never these. I love them because they are a great way to use up leftover chili. In your week's menu, you can schedule a chili meal, perhaps with some … [Read more...]
Edamame Coconut Curry
Today is Chinese New Year! And as you know because you are an amazing super-deal-shopper, when a holiday comes around, the sales are good. Right now, soybeans called edamame, coconut milk, and other Asian flavors are readily available at awesome prices! Here's one of our favorite Asian recipes that is gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian. It's easy and fast. It's a … [Read more...]
Gluten Free Vegetable and Bean Gumbo
My husband has begged for me to make this simple recipe since his mother made it over the summer. Now that it's winter, I really see the need to humor him. Blended okra (or sliced if you like the flavor and texture) thickens the gumbo. Corn starch is an acceptable alternative if okra isn't available in your grocer's freezer. Speaking of the freezer, this meal is freezable … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Smoky Brisket & Cajun 15 Bean Soup
Oh my smoky good-gracious-ness. Please, take a spoon and reach through the screen for a bite. I picked up half a pound of brisket from a nearby BBQ joint and dropped into the slow cooker with a bag of beans and other pantry staples...and WOW-WY! This is a fantastic way to use up any leftover BBQ meat...or you could just order extra next time you go out! I love pairing … [Read more...]
Freezer Friendly Black Bean Tamale Pie
A Mexican New Year's food tradition is tamales. These are made of corn flour and are wrapped and steamed in a corn husk. They are very pretty and have a wide variety of flavors that can take you from breakfast to dinner. I enjoy tamales as long as someone else makes them. They take up a lot of space to store and cook, are challenging to reheat in large quantities, and … [Read more...]
Tex Mex Chicken Skillet
This is one that I can make and we'll polish it off. I'm raising a bunch of boys who adore Tex-Mex food and this is one of their faves. (Minus the oldest who still picks beans out of everything! As long as he is the one separating them from the rest of the meal, that's fine with me!) If you don't have leftover shredded chicken, you could also cut up some boneless skinless … [Read more...]
Tex Mex Beef & Quinoa Skillet Dinner
Tonight we're revamping an old recipe from 2010 for this month's 31 Days of Skillet Dinners series. It's p.a.c.k.e.d. full of protein and will fill up the bottomless pits that show up at your dinner table every night. Beef + beans + quinoa = protein-town! (My older 2 boys must be going through growth spurts...because boy can they eat! It's a good thing that I know how to … [Read more...]
Dilled Tomato Sauce over Rice & White Beans
How does your family feel about tomato sauce? I mean, we all know pasta is the greatest thing since sliced bread. But the love of the sauce is important here. Because this recipe is a Mediterranean twist on tomato sauce and is served over rice. A couple of tricks to make this recipe super easy for you: If your family isn't particularly fond of the tough skin on grape … [Read more...]
Hoppin’ John Recipe
Black eyed peas make me think of two things. Well, three really. 1. The band. What fun music they produce! {bustin' out the dance moves} 2. My grandfather. He passed away many years ago, but I remember going to visit him in Houston when I was a kid. We'd eat at one of two restaurants near his home. I preferred 'The Black Eyed Pea,' right on I-10. It's long gone now, but … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Split Peas and Brown Rice
Could this possibly be easier or more yummy? Three ingredients in your slow cooker means a hearty, warm, freezer-friendly dinner can be ready with only 5 minutes of effort. My family boycotts the kitchen when we run out of a few items. Bananas are one. And split peas are another. I'm glad something so popular is easy to make and freezes well. Unlike other legumes and … [Read more...]