Red Beans and Smoked Sausage

     For years, I couldn't cook dried beans because they always came out too hard.  I tried soaking them overnight and cooking them the next day like I was told.  Didn't work for me. Then a couple of years ago, a friend of mine told me how she cooks hers.  It sounded so easy, so I tried it.  Finally, I could make red beans and sausage!


1 lb. dried red kidney beans
1/2 large onion - chopped
1/2 cup onion tops - chopped
2 cloves minced garlic
Tony Chachere's or other seasoning to taste-salt, pepper, cayenne, Tabasco, etc.
1 lb. of smoked sausage - sliced

In large pot, fill approx. 1/2 half with water.  Add dried beans, onion, tops, garlic and seasoning.  Bring to boil, cook for 10-15 minutes.  Reduce heat to medium - low and let cook. In separate pan, saute sausage until browned.  Add to beans and cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.  Add water as needed - don't let beans dry out.  Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve over cooked rice.


This same recipe works for pintos and white northern beans also. You could substitute ham for the sausage.  That is delicious too!

Inspirational Photos

     I was shopping at the Family Dollar recently and came across a Zen calendar for 2013.  It was on clearance for $.25.  I had to buy it!  I love all things inspirational so I've been trying to figure out what to do with it. 

     I have two granddaughters and I want them to grow up with the confidence and self esteem to do whatever their hearts desire, so I made them for their room when they visit.

    I tore the photos out of the calendar, and put together the three I thought was most appropriate for them.  Then, I searched the house for picture frames.  Who doesn't have extra frames around the house??? I trimmed the photos to fit in the frames.  Easiest thing ever!!!!

     I sent the girls a picture once they were done and they loved them!  Of course, their favorite colors are in them....purple and pink.

Here are the close ups of the photos:

 

 

No need to buy art to decorate your home- use your imagination!

Fruit and Vege Trays

 

 

 

 

   Do you have extra fruit and vegetable trays laying around?  I do too, so I decided to use them!  I usually have plenty of fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator and they go bad because I don't take them out for us to eat....sound familiar???? 

   This is a way to make sure they don't go to waste, because it's ready to eat...kids will love this idea!  Let them put it together and they'll probably be more willing to eat it. Do this on the weekend and you are set for the week.  On second thought, you  may need to make two....one for the week and one for the weekend!  If you are starving when you get home, take this out and snack on the fruits/veges while you prepare dinner. I used to make these a lot when my son's were younger. It's a great summertime lunch or snack.  How about a backyard picnic!

Some of the ingredients I've used are:
apples
bananas
oranges
grapes
pineapple
melons
cantaloupe
baby carrots
cucumbers
celery sticks
cheese
ham slices
crackers


Just use whatever fruits and vegetables you have on hand!  So easy and healthy.

Enjoy your summer!

Apples with Dip

    This is a family favorite of ours.  It's so refreshing as a summer dessert and so easy. Looks like a flower doesn't it? 

 Before adding pecan topping

After adding pecan topping



Apple Dip

1 lb. powdered sugar
1- 8 oz. container cream cheese
1- 8 oz. container caramel sauce
8 oz. chopped pecans or almonds
Apples


Cream powdered sugar and cream cheese until blended.  Spread on center of plate.  Cover mixture with caramel sauce.  Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.  Cut up apples and place around perimeter of plate.  

*I have also used heath chips instead of pecans, and it was super sweet, but divine! 

Keep plenty of apples on hand, because they will go quickly!


Enjoy!