New Orleans Red Beans

1 lb dry red beans
2 qt water
11/2 C onion, chopped
1 C celery, chopped
4 bay leaves
1 C green peppers, chopped
3 Tbsp garlic, chopped
3 Tbsp parsley, chopped
2 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

Red Hot Fusilli

1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 C fresh parsley, minced
4 C ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
1 Tbsp oregano leaves, crushed (or 1 tsp dried)
1/4 tsp salt
to taste ground red pepper or cayenne
8 oz uncooked fusilli pasta
(4 C cooked)
1/2 lb (optional) cooked chicken breasts, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
(3/4 lb if raw)

Black Skillet Beef With Greens and Red Potatoes

1 lb top round beef
1 Tbsp paprika
11/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp red pepper
1/8 tsp dry mustard
8 red-skinned potatoes, halved
3 C onion, finely chopped
2 C beef broth
2 cloves large garlic, minced
2 large carrots, peeled, cut into very thin, 21/2-inch strips
2 bunch (1/2 lb) mustard greens, kale, or turnip greens, stems removed, coarsely torn as needed nonstick cooking spray

Bruschetta

Roasted red peppers add extra zing to this classic chopped tomato dish

½ whole grain baguette (French bread), cut into 12 slices (or substitute 3 slices whole-wheat bread, each cut into 4 squares)
1 C fresh tomatoes, rinsed and diced
¼ C jarred roasted red peppers, diced (or substitute fresh roasted red peppers; see tip) (Leftover Friendly)
6 Kalamata olives, rinsed and sliced (or substitute any black olive)
½ Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp fresh basil, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or 2 tsp dried)
¼ tsp ground black pepper

Red, White, and Green Grilled Cheese

So good, your children might not even notice the “green stuff”

1 tsp garlic, minced (about ½ clove)
1 small onion, minced (about ½ cup)
2 C frozen cut spinach, thawed and drained (or substitute 2 bags (10 oz each) fresh leaf spinach,
rinsed)
¼ tsp ground black pepper
8 slices whole-wheat bread
1 medium tomato, rinsed, cut into 4 slices
1 C shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Nonstick cooking spray

FETTUCINI TOMATO SAUCE RED BEANS

Ingredients:
250 grams of fettucini, hard boiled
250 grams of red beans, hard boiled
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Sauce: