Lentil Stew

I haven't tried this yet, but think it sounds pretty good.

LENTIL STEW

1 pkg. lentils
1/2 med. onion, cut up
2 1/2 - 3 c. cut up potatoes, pared
1 1/2 - 2 c. cut up carrots, pared
3-4 garlic cloves
1 tsp. parsley flakes
1/2 tsp. basil
3 (10 oz.) cans Italian stewed tomatoes
Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 1/2 tbsp. Italian salad dressing

Soak lentils in cold water overnight. Rinse off. Put lentils in large stock pot. Add onion, potatoes, carrots, garlic cloves, parsley, basil, stewed tomatoes, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano and salad dressing. Cover with water to 2" from top. Cook over medium low heat for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Stir occasionally. Serve with grated cheese on top of each bowl. (Stew should have a lot of liquid. If cooked down, add water for consistency.)

Kielbasa Skillet Stew

5 bacon strips - cooked until crisp

brown in drippings:
1 med. chopped onion
1 1/2 lbs smoked fully cooked sliced kielbasa

stir in & bring to boil:
2 cans (15 1/2 oz) great northern beans, undrained
2 cans (8oz) tomato sauce
1 can (4oz) chopped green chilis
2 med. carrots, sliced
1/2 med. green pepper, chopped
1/2 t. Italian seasoning
1/2 t. dried thyme
1/8 t. pepper

Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 min or until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally. Crumble bacon and sprinkle on top.

Mexican layered dip

LAYER in 9x13 in this order:
refried beans or bean dip
3 avacados & 2 T. lemon juice - w/ s&p
1 c. sour cream mixed w/ 1/2 pkg taco seasoning
salsa
sliced olives
chopped onions
chopped tomatoes
cheese
green onions

Serve with chips

Crock Pot Chicken W/ Black Beans and Cream Cheese

This looks disgusting once it's cooked, but has GREAT flavor

4-5 boneless chicken breasts
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can corn
1 (15 ounce) jar salsa, any kind
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

Directions

Take 4-5 frozen, yes, frozen, boneless chicken breasts put into crock pot.

Add 1 can of black beans, drained, 1 jar of salsa, 1 can of corn drained.

Keep in crock pot on high for about 4-5 hours or until chicken is cooked.

Add 1 package of cream cheese (just throw it on top!) and let sit for about 1/2 hour

Serve over Rice or serve in tortillas as a burrito filling and garnish.

Black Bean & Corn Salad

Serve warm or cold, as a salad or a chip dip.

1 can Black Beans, rinsed well and drained
1 can Corn, drained
4 fresh tomatoes, diced (fresh vine tomatoes taste the best or hybrid tomatoes that you can buy on the vine)
½ c red onion, chopped FINE
½ c cilantro, chopped FINE
2 T Lime Juice
1 T olive oil
½ t salt
¼ t pepper
2 dashes Hot Sauce (i.e. Cholula or Tapatio or even Tabasco)
pinch of Cayenne