Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

Well not necessarily chicken, but dinner is the topic. Many of my friends are mommies, very busy mommies like me. We are always trying to find ideas to feed our families something healthy and preferably easy. I am a cookbook, recipe testing freak of nature, so I'm going to try to post at least one new recipe a week to help give others ideas. I'll try to keep them quick, easy and as healthy as possible. I'll also try to mix them up for both meat eaters and veggie preferers. No, that's not a real word, but I like it.

Today lets talk beans. Beans are healthy, have fiber and protein, and are yummy when prepared correctly. They take a little bit of work, but not too much and are worth it. I like to make chili beans, which is different from chilli with beans. Being from Texas, to me that dish doesn't exist. Bigfoot has more credibility. Texas chilli has no beans. And that's another recipe, so off the soapbox, chick. Anyway, the night before you cook the beans, get a bag of dried pinto beans, about a pound or so. Sort the beans into a large glass or plastic bowl so you can remove any rocks, bad looking beans, tiny elves, etc. Cover the bans with water and set in the fridge overnight. The next morning, drain the beans and put them in your crockpot. Add a ham bone, ham hock, or even a smoked turkey wing if you can find them. Sometimes I leave them out and put in 93/7 ground beef that has been browned and seasoned with chili powder, cumin, garlic salt and pepper. I add the beef when beans are almost done. You can also omit meat altogether. After the beans, meat/no meat, add 1 medium chopped onion, a 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper. Seasoning is to taste, and at end of cooking you should taste and add according to your own preference. Cover with enough cold water to cover, place on lid and set to low. Time varies accoring to crockpot, but usually around 6 or so hours. Once done, serve with rice, cornbread, alone and with favorite condiments.

This recipe can be adjusted to however you and your family prefer. It can even be converted to crockpot baked beans. You can keep your menu fun, even on a budget where you don't just make every penny squeek, that sucker screams like a banshee. Also feel free to share your own favorite recipes here, or request certain ones.