Simple white bean casserole

This casserole is fast and delicious. Serve with a salad for a complete and easy weeknight dinner.
2 15oz cans white kidney beans, drained
1 15oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 6oz fried onions
1tsp thyme
1tsp sage
pepper to taste

heat tomatoes, beans, thyme, sage and pepper in saucepan on medium heat, stirring frequently until boiling. Mix in 2/3 of onions and spread in 2qt casserole dish. Top with remaining onions. Bake covered at 350degress for 15 minutes.

Red Curry

1/2 bunch green onions, cut into 1 in pieces
2 14oz cans coconut milk
3-4 large carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
1 baked potato, cubed
14oz firm tofu, cubed
2-3 tsp red curry paste
2-3 Tbs oil
1 small yellow onion, cut into wedges
1/2 c water
1/2 bunch cilantro

Heat oil over high heat in large skillet or dutch oven. Add carrots and yellow onions, saute 1-2 min. Add coconut milk, water and curry paste. Bring to boil and add tofu. Simmer, covered 5 minutes. Add potato and green onion. Continue to cook until carrot and potato are soft. Stir in cilantro and serve. Excellent with saffron rice, recipe below.

Safron rice

1 c white rice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp saffron threads

Mix all ingredients in large saucepan with 2c water. Bring to a boil. Reduce head to low and cook, covered, for 22 minutes. Fluff with fork and serve.

Cranberry Apple Compote

This simple compote is best served warm, as a desert. If you don't like anise, substitute a small amount of cinnamon instead.


4c sliced, pared, and cored apples
1/2c fresh cranberries
1/4c raisins
1/4c coarsely chopped walnuts
2T brown sugar
5T apple juice or water
2 star anise
dash nutmeg

mix all ingredients in a 2qt saucepan. Heat until boiling. Cook covered on low heat 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool to serving temperature.

cauliflower soup

This soup is easy and fast, and a great solution for cool evenings.
2 head cauliflower
4c vegetable broth
4T oil
1tsp dry thyme
1/4tsp red pepper flakes
salt and pepper

Steam cauliflower just until soft, reserving 1c cooking water. Blend cauliflower and broth in blender or food processor (may take several batches). Use reserved water if needed. Saute thyme and red pepper in oil over high head 1 minute. Add blended cauliflower and reserved water. Bring to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Banana chocolate chip muffins

these muffins are an easy morning treat. Both the chocolate chips and nuts are optional, adjusts the amounts as desired. Use very ripe bananas, almost black, for the best flavor. I apologize for not having a photo, my family at them literally as they were coming out of the oven.
1 1/2c flour
1 1/2t baking powder
1/4t baking soda
3/4c sugar
2c mashed bananas
1/3c oil
3T water
dash cinnamon
dash allspice
2/3c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2c chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350F. Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl with a fork. Add bananas, oil and water. Mix with fork until smooth and all ingredients are incorporated (batter will be slightly lumpy). Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if desired. Put in well greased muffin pan. Bake 15-20 minutes until lightly brown on top and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Makes 12 standard size muffins.

Pasta bean salad

This is a great salad that can be made quickly and is perfect for summer dinners. Feel free to add other vegetables as available.

8oz macaroni or salad pasta, cooked and cooled
1 can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2-3 tomatoes, diced
1/4c finely diced red onion
1-2 dill pickles, diced
2-3T prepared mustard
1T olive oil
1T raspberry vinegar or other vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Chill before serving.