Crockpot Red Beans and Rice

By: Co+op, welcome to the table

Recipe Information
Total Time: 7 hours,15 minutes; 15 minutes active
Servings: 4-6

Laissez les bons temps rouler! Mardi Gras is just around the corner, so you couldn’t ask for a better time to brush up on your cajun-style cuisine. In the mood to get creative? Swap collard greens in this recipe for organic chard - on sale right now at your Co-op for just $1.99 per bunch.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried kidney beans

• 1/2 cup long grain brown rice

• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped

• 1 large carrot, chopped

• 1 bunch collard greens, chopped

• 5 cups water

• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

• 1 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Heat a pot of water to boiling, add kidney beans and boil beans for ten minutes. Drain beans.

2. Combine 5 cups water, drained kidney beans, brown rice, bell pepper, carrot and Cajun seasoning in a slow cooker. Cover and set on low, and cook for 6 hours.

3. Open the cooker, add the salt and collard greens, and stir. Cover and cook for another hour.

4. When the beans are tender, serve or transfer to containers to refrigerate or freeze.

Serving Suggestion

Serve as a side dish to roasted chicken, or feature it as an entrée with a slice of cornbread.

Potato Lasagna

By: Co+op, welcome to the table

Recipe Information
Total Time: 1 hour; 30 minutes active
Servings: 4-6

It’s the holiday season, and potatoes are on sale - why not reinvent a classic recipe so you can better take advantage of a great deal? Thinly-sliced potatoes replace sheet noodles in this lasagna from our friends at Co+op, Welcome to the Table.

Ingredients

• 3 medium potatoes, scrubbed clean

• 1 pound part skim ricotta cheese

• 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese

• 1 stalk broccoli, chopped into bite-sized pieces

• 2 cups thick spaghetti sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preparation

1. Heat the oven to 400⁰F. Drizzle olive oil in a 2-quart baking dish and tilt dish until the bottom has been evenly coated. Set aside.

2. Place potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water, then place on the stove over high heat. Bring to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes, then check the tenderness of the potatoes by piercing with a paring knife. When they are tender but not falling apart, remove from heat and drain. When cool enough to handle, slice potatoes into 1/3-inch thick rounds.

3. Line a fine mesh strainer with two layers of paper towels, place over a bowl, and dollop the ricotta on the paper towels. Gently pat the cheese and let stand to drain as much liquid off as possible, at least 20 minutes. Scrape the cheese into a medium bowl and stir in 1/2 cup of the Parmesan.

4. Assemble the casserole: Place a layer of sliced potatoes on the bottom of the prepared pan. Dollop the ricotta mixture over the potatoes and spread to make an even layer. Sprinkle the broccoli over the ricotta and press gently to make a level surface. Cover the broccoli and ricotta with the remaining potato slices, then top with spaghetti sauce and spread evenly. Cover the sauce with the remaining Parmesan cheese.

5. Bake lasagna, uncovered, for 30 minutes. The sauce will be bubbling vigorously around the edges and the cheese will be golden brown. Let stand 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Serving Suggestion

Serve this lasagna with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a traditional Italian-style dinner. Increase the protein by serving alongside a store-bought rotisserie chicken.