“Among the most inexpensive of foods, dried beans offer a bounty of fiber, iron, protein, folic acid and B vitamins. Black beans, also known as “turtle beans,” are an especially tasty variety, and make a lovely soup. Do not salt dried beans until they are cooked, as the salt slows down the softening process. On another note, so-called “cooking” wines or sherries contain lots of added salt. Do your palate and your body a favor and use a drinkable sherry in this recipe."

Yummers

“I have made these at the house of a friend who gives a party featuring potato pancakes every year. He loves making them and gets really creative, tossing in hot sauce or different herbs. You can be as creative as you like with yours. Mine are a simple version, and I like to serve them with fresh applesauce.”

“This is an elegant but simple whole meal salad. The addition of greens is our own touch. This is a “composed” salad – one in which the components are arranged artfully on the plate. If you don’t want to take the time, it tastes just as good if all the ingredients are tossed together.

serve with Spanish rice http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000040spanish_rice.php

I don’t measure anymore. Boneless-Skinless Chicken Breasts work great. Also, I add cous cous and feta when I add the peas, making a great one pot meal.

Introduced to India by Portuguese settlers, this spicy stew can also be made with pork, beef or lamb. Serve over steamed basmati rice.

Spice meter: 3/5