As part of our homework this week, Mendy asked that we share a recipe using legumes. Here is one that I made this week and it was very good. I got this recipe out of a Cooking Light cookbook.

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
3cups water
1cup dried red kidney beans
1cup chopped onion
1cup chopped green pepper
3/4cup chopped celery
1teaspoon dried thyme
1teaspoon paprika
3/4teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2teaspoon black pepper
1/2(140z) package turkey, pork, and beef smoked sausage, sliced
1bay leaf
5 garlic cloves, minced
1/2teaspoon salt
3cups hot cooked long grain rice
1/4cup chopped green onions

Directions:
1. Place first 12 ingredients in a 2 quart slow cooker. Cover with lid and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours. I cooked it for about 10 hours and it was fine.

2. Discard bay leaf, stir in salt. Serve over rice; sprinkle with green onions. Serves 4
(Serving size: 1cup bean mixture, 3/4cup rice, and 1tablespoon green onions)

Calories--413