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Everyday Food for Busy People

black beans

Pumpkin Black Bean Chicken Chili in the Slow Cooker

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Fall is my favorite season.  There are a lot of reasons, but some of them are:

  • comfort foods
  • pumpkin
  • apples
  • cool weather that makes me want to turn on the oven…
  • soup, soup, soup!

I’ve shared my love of Autumn foods and soups before.  This recipe, which came from a friend of mine {hi, Bev!} fits into both of those categories.

I’d never had pumpkin in a savory dish before and I wasn’t too sure what it would be like.  The flavor isn’t strongly pumpkin, not like adding pie to your chili.  It’s more of a healthy, warm veggie base that goes well with the black beans and chicken.

For the record, I did keep the pumpkin part a secret from the kids until after dinner.  No need to share all the truth before it’s necessary to do so.

Here’s what you’ll need to get this simmering in your slow cooker:  [Read more…] about Pumpkin Black Bean Chicken Chili in the Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Beans for the Freezer aka Refried Beans without the Refry

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I have heard about the beans for years.  Yes, years!  And I can’t believe I had never tried them.  I first heard about them on the Sonlight forums, where they were made famous by Bethany of For the Love of Grub.

Bethany loves these beans and makes them often and tells the rest of us that we need to be making them.  Everyone who has tried them raves about them.

Do I take the hint and give them a try?  No, I wait 5 or 7 years before it finally hits me that I need to see what the fuss is about.  I mean, it’s just beans, right? They can’t be that much better than canned, right?

Call me a crazy bean lover!  These things are fabulous!

They aren’t spicy, and yet they’re flavorful.  They make a quick dinner, can be mashed or left whole and they’re great for stocking your freezer.

Bethany gives a lot of variations on her blog, but this is how I made them:  [Read more…] about Slow Cooker Beans for the Freezer aka Refried Beans without the Refry

Ingredient Spotlight: Beans 2012

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Beans are such a great food to keep on hand.  Both canned and dry beans can be stored in the pantry and have a long shelf life.

Beans are inexpensive and they’re a great way to add protein to meatless meals.

Here are a few of my favorite bean recipes:  [Read more…] about Ingredient Spotlight: Beans 2012

Chicken Enchilada Soup in the Slow Cooker

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This is a recipe that will be made often in my house.  My kids have been asking for it again already.

I first saw the recipe when Mary from Giving Up on Perfect linked it for Ingredient Spotlight.  I’ve since spotted it on Pinterest several times.  This soup is fantastic!  And it’s easy too.

I made just a few minor changes to the way Mary fixed it.  I doubled the recipe, which made a lot.  It completely filled my 6 quart slow cooker.   Here’s what you’ll need:  [Read more…] about Chicken Enchilada Soup in the Slow Cooker

Grilled Chicken and Cream Cheese Enchiladas – 5 Ingredients

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These couldn’t be simpler, especially if you’ve already got the chicken grilled, sliced and frozen.  But even if you need to do some grilling first, they are easy.  (If you do need to grill, cook more than you need and stock your freezer with the extra.)

The ingredients can be changed and swapped too.  Use cooked chicken instead of grilled, or use ground beef or leftover roast beef.  Swap out the Black Bean and Corn Salsa for another variety.  Skip the cream cheese and use Monterey Jack instead.  Anything goes, and it’s all good.

Here’s what you’ll need:  [Read more…] about Grilled Chicken and Cream Cheese Enchiladas – 5 Ingredients