Red Beans and Rice *Crockpot*

Hello?  Anyone still there?  I'm sorry; I've been gone a looooong time.  Life has been pretty busy.  The busier it gets, the less I cook pretty food.  Sad fact.  BUT - I have been using my crockpot a LOT.  Like at least twice a week.  So I thought I'd share some red beans and rice with you.  This is a family favorite, comfort food at its best.  My kids will eat beans and rice without fail.  They would eat it every night if I would allow.  And it is so nice to come home to a meal that's ready to go and waiting on you.

You actually start this the night before you cook it.  Open up your beans, rinse them and put them in a pot.  Cover the beans with water.  Make sure there's a lot of water in there (at least 2-3 inches over the top of the beans).  Put the lid on the pot and leave it just like that on the counter over night.  This softens the beans so you'll get a better consistency when you cook them.

When you wake up drain your beans in a collander, rinse them (I'm told this removes the gas from the beans) and put them in your crock pot.

Add your liquid.  Best case senario is stock.  If you don't have any, you can use water.  If I use water, I usually add bullion or brown gravy mix.

Add onions, garlic, bell pepper (you can buy this pre chopped, or chop them the night before when you put your beans soaking) and seasoning.

You can either add your sausage straight from the fridge, or cook it first.  I've done it both ways with no complaints from the crowd.  It really depends on how much time you have.  I prefer the taste and texture of browning it on the stove first, but some days I'm short on time and I throw it in the crock pot without even bothering to cut it.

That's really all there is to it.  Put the lid on your crock pot and let it do it's thing.

Serve over rice (which can also be made the night before if you know you'll have a hungry crew when you walk in the door).

When All Else Fails...

Life is busy.  It's been so very busy.  I could list all the reasons why, but I bet one thing: we all have busy lives.  Everything's been so crazy around here that I decided to skip bible study tonight and just stay home.  I was all the way home, with all 3 kids unloaded from the car before I stopped to think about the fact that I had no clue whatsoever about what to do for dinner. 

We had a pack of chicken tenderloins in the fridge.  There were some sweet peppers left from the market this weekend.  I found some evaporated milk in the pantry (don't wince, it's the perfect substitution for cream).  I decided to go with what I know.  When all else fails butter + cream will save the day.

This isn't so much a recipe as it is a reminder.  You can probably make a meal with what you have on hand if you just get creative and confident.

So here's what I did:  I melted some butter in a pan and added in the chicken (tenderloin strips), straight from the package.  I sprinkled on some Tony's and threw the bacon press on top.  After a few minutes, I flipped the chicken.  I added some onion and sweet peppers, because I had them and they would probably go bad in a day or two.  While that was all cooking {and smelling pretty good} I poked around the fridge for more ideas.  There was a little bit of the chili paste I'd used making Citrus-Chili Chicken, so I decided to add that.

In a bowl, I whisked a can of evaporate milk, what was left in the jar of chili paste and a little flour.  I poured that in and continued to add a little bit of this and that.  We ended up with a nice, quick meal that I didn't have to think about or plan.

Don't be afraid of your kitchen.  Melt some butter in a pan then add cream and flour (whisk this in a separate bowl first) --- you just made cream sauce.

Too thick?  Thin it our with a little chicken stock.

Too thin?  Add more flour - or cheese(!)

Bland?  Add in some vegetables, the end of a jar of something that's in the fridge, lemon juice, a seasoning packet... whatever you want!

Just remember: Butter + Cream + whatever flavorings you've got lying around = easy weeknight pasta.  And who doesn't need a good cream sauce after a busy day?

Linking up at Tidy Mom

Salsa Baked Potato

I regularly follow Debbie at Words to Eat By.  I love her blog.  Her recipes are wonderful, real and accessible.  I saw on her blog yesterday that a certain company was holding a blogger competition.  The company wants bloggers to dis the potato in favor of their boxed stuffing.  Debbie, along with other food bloggers, was not happy about this contest.

I tend to agree with her.  To say I'm not a fan of boxed food is a gross understatement.  So I'm joining in the defense of versatile spuds.  When I first read her potato post I began to think of wonderful, rich, creamy potato dishes.  Ultimately I settled on what some may call plain Jane--a simple baked potato. 

They're so good though.  I frequently bake 3 or 4 on a Sunday and use them for lunches throughout the week.  Don't freak out over the stigma potatoes get on being bad for your waistline - they're not!  It's the topping we generally place all over spuds that get us into trouble.  So try this idea - top a baked potato with salsa, black beans, corn and cheese.  It's a filling meal that's very satisfying and super yum without regret.

Here's how I do mine:

Wash the outsides first and pat dry

Then lay out a square of foil for each one

Rub them down with butter and sprinkle with salt

Wrap them tightly in the foil and throw them in the oven (I put them on a cookie sheet first, just 'cause it's easier to get a bunch in and out that way).

When they're done, unwrap the foil and cut the potato

Add some black beans and corn.  *Oh, you don't see corn?  It's there, I....okay, I just knew there was some in the pantry, apparently I was wrong {don't tell anyone I said that}*

Salsa, lots of salsa.

And cheese....now throw it under the broiler for a few minutes aaaaaaannnnnnnndddddddd................

Good and good for you.  And there are extras for lunch tomorrow....just saved you six bucks on some not so edible drive thru.  If you're the type that has to have meat in every meal (some days that's me) feel free to add some chicken.

You can get the printable recipe for Baked Potatoes here.  I know it's pretty straight-forward, but for some reason I still have to call my mom every time to ask the temperature.

Enjoy!!!