Diaries of a Determined Cook!

After the birth of my daughter, 12 years ago, I was completely turned off to meat. You see, I was a woman who liked my beef with a side of beef so this was very strange. I ate vegetarian for about 6 months and shed almost all 60 pounds I had gained. I felt great, my skin looked incredible, but after a while I missed, and my family, meat. And trust me, they complained about it!

My husband was never too thrilled with some of the recipes I made during my veggie days, however, here we are over a decade later and he's asking for some of those 'meatless meals'. That's what he announces, "Mom's making a meatless meal! RUN!" LOL At least they all know I'm only trying to make them healthier, not kill them--I attempt that with other meals I make and burn. Heeheehee.

Here's a healthy spicy slowcooker favorite that even my vegetarian friend Sera Rivers loves.


SOUTHWEST BEAN STEW
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 4 1/2 or 8 1/2 hr
Makes 4 servings
 
1 15oz can red kidney beans
1 15oz can black beans
1 14 1/2oz can Mexican style stewed tomatoes, undrained and cut up (I can never find these at our grocery stores so I use spicy diced tomatoes with chiles)

1 14oz can vegetable or chicken broth (I prefer the vegetable because I like the taste)

1 10oz pkg. frozen whole kernel corn

2 medium carrots, thinly sliced

1 large onion, chopped

1/2 cup water

1 4oz can diced green chile peppers, undrained 

2-3 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. bottled mince garlic (Forgot this last time and it made all the difference!)

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup yellow cornmeal 

1 tsp. baking powder

1 egg white

2 Tbsp. milk

1 Tbsp. cooking oil

1) rinse and drain kidney and black beans. In slow cooker, combine beans, tomatoes, broth, corn, carrots, onion, the water, chile peppers, chili powder, and garlic.

2) Cover an cook on low-heat setting for 8-10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4-5 hours.

3) for dumplings: In medium bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, dash salt, and dash ground black pepper. In small bowl, combine egg white, milk, and oil. Add egg white mixture to flour mixture; stir just until combined. (Truthfully, I don't do this. I've screwed up dumplings enough in my years of trying to learn how to cook that it's not worth the frustration and bad mood it puts me in)

4) If using low-heat setting, turn to high-heat setting. Drop dumpling dough from rounded teaspoon it eight mounds on top of stew. Cover and cook for 30 minutes more (do not lift lid while dumplings cook). 

To accompany the stew, serve a purchased dip with fresh veggies, pineapple slices, and cookies.

Hope your all enjoy this and have a Sparkling Day!
Rebecca Rose