Fix-It and Forget-It Christmas Cookbook (97 page)

Creole Black Beans

Joyce Kaut

Rochester, NY

Makes 6-8 servings

Prep. Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 4-8 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.

1½-2 lbs. smoked sausage, sliced in ½”-thick pieces

3 15-oz. cans black beans, drained

1½ cups chopped onions

1½ cups chopped green bell peppers

1½ cups chopped celery

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp. dried thyme

1½ tsp. dried oregano

1½ tsp. pepper

1 chicken bouillon cube

3 bay leaves

8-oz. can tomato sauce

1 cup water

1. Brown sausage in non-stick skillet.

2. Place in slow cooker.

3. Stir in all other ingredients and mix well.

4. Cover. Cook on Low 8 hours or on High 4 hours.

5. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Serving suggestion: Serve over
rice
, with a
salad
and
fresh fruit
for dessert.

Variation:

You may substitute a 14½-oz. can of stewed tomatoes for the tomato sauce.

Pizza Beans

Kelly Evenson

Pittsboro, NC

Makes 6 servings

Prep. Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 7-9 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.

16-oz. can pinto beans, drained

16-oz. can kidney beans, drained

2¼-oz. can ripe olives, sliced, drained

28-oz. can stewed,
or
whole, tomatoes

¾ lb. bulk Italian sausage

1 Tbsp. oil

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. dried basil

Parmesan cheese, grated

1. Combine beans, olives, and tomatoes in slow cooker.

2. Brown sausage in oil in skillet. Stir frequently, breaking up clumps of meat. Continue cooking until meat is no longer pink. Drain, reserving drippings.

3. Transfer sausage to slow cooker.

4. Sauté green pepper in drippings 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add onions and continue stirring until onions start to become translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute. Transfer vegetables to slow cooker.

5. Stir in seasonings.

6. Cover. Cook on Low 7-9 hours.

7. To serve, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Variation:

For a thicker dish, 20 minutes before serving remove ¼ cup liquid from cooker. Place in small bowl. Add 1 Tbsp. cornstarch to it. Stir until dissolved. Return to soup. Cook on High 15 minutes, or until thickened.

Pioneer Beans

Kay Magruder

Seminole, OK

Makes 4-6 servings

Prep. Time: 10 minutes

Soaking Time: 8 hours, or overnight

Cooking Time: 8-9 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.

1 lb. dry lima beans

1 bunch green onions, chopped

3 beef bouillon cubes

6 cups water

1 lb. smoked sausage, cut in ½”-thick slices

½ tsp. garlic powder

¾ tsp. Tabasco sauce

1. Place dry lima beans in slow cooker. Cover with water. Let soak 8 hours, or overnight.

2. Drain off water.

3. Add all other ingredients to beans in slow cooker. Mix together well.

4. Cover. Cook on Low 8-9 hours, or until beans are soft but not mushy.

Dawn’s Special Beans

Dawn Day

Westminster, CA

Makes 8-10 servings

Prep. Time: 10-15 minutes

Cooking Time: 6 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.

16-oz. can kidney beans

16-oz. can small white beans

16-oz. can butter beans

16-oz. can small red beans

1 cup chopped onions

2 tsp. dry mustard

½ tsp. hickory-smoke flavoring

½ cup dark brown sugar

½ cup honey

1 cup barbecue sauce

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on Low 6 hours.

Tip:

If you like soupy beans, do not drain the beans before adding them to the cooker. If you prefer a drier outcome, drain all beans before pouring into cooker.

Partytime Beans

Beatrice Martin

Goshen, IN

Makes 14-16 servings

Prep. Time: 15-20 minutes

Cooking Time: 5-7 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.

1½ cups ketchup

1 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 sweet red pepper, chopped

½ cup water

½ cup packed brown sugar

2 bay leaves

2-3 tsp. cider vinegar

1 tsp. ground mustard

⅛ tsp. pepper

16-oz. can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

15½-oz. can great northern beans, rinsed and drained

15-oz. can lima beans, rinsed and drained

15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

15½-oz. can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained

1. Combine first 10 ingredients in slow cooker. Mix well.

2. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well.

3. Cover. Cook on Low 5-7 hours, or until onion and peppers are tender.

4. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Red Beans and Pasta

Naomi E. Fast
, Hesston, KS

Makes 6-8 servings

Prep. Time: 10-15 minutes • Cooking Time: 3½-4½ hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 5-qt.

3 15-oz. cans chicken,
or
vegetable, broth

½ tsp. ground cumin

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 garlic clove, minced

8 oz. uncooked spiral pasta