Southwestern Chicken and Bean Stew

The diet Levi and Brian are on - which is essentially a sugar busters diet - means I have been making a lot of soups.

Beans - a staple in a lot of soups - are a good source of protein and fiber.

1 cup dried pinto beans
2 lb. cut-up frying chicken, skin removed
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup salsa
1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth (low sodium)
1 (4.5 oz.) can chopped green chiles
1 tsp. cumin
2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Place beans in medium bowl; add enough water to cover. Let stand overnight to soak.

Cook chicken; cool. Remove meat from bones.

Drain beans, discard water. Place beans, cooked chicken and all remaining ingredients (except cilantro) into crock pot. Mix well.

Cover, cook on low setting for 5-6 hours.

Add cilantro; mix well.

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Southwestern Beef 'n Rice Stuffed Peppers

Brian has always asked me to make stuffed peppers.

I am not sure if he is asking for them because he has had them somewhere and liked them or because he just wants to try them.

Anyway, I have never had a stuffed pepper recipe that I thought looked good . . . until now.

1 lb. lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 (1.25 oz.) pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 egg, beaten
2 cups cooked rice
4 medium green bell peppers
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, taco mix and egg; mix well. Add rice; mix well.

Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; remove seeds and membrane. Put cut side up in ungreased 13x9 baking dish. Spoon beef mixture into peppers, mounding as needed. Top each with 1 tbsp. of salsa. Pour water into dish around peppers.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until beef is thoroughly cooked and peppers are crisp tender. Top each with about 1/2 tbsp. sour cream and 1 tbsp. cheese.

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Chicago Style Deep-Dish Pizza

Sometimes homemade pizza just sounds good.

Brian and I have fond memories of being newlyweds and making Chef Boyardee pizzas together after work. We would each make our own - trying to out-create each other.

After the kids were born, we perfected bread sticks - touting that they were better than Little Caesar's bread sticks!!

This deep-dish style homemade pizza is good for a change of pace.

1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 roll of sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
2(12 oz.) cans refrigerator biscuits
1 (2.5 oz.) jar sliced mushrooms
1 medium tomato, sliced
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13 x 9 inch pan with cooking spray. In large skilled, cook ground beef and sausage with onion until meat is thoroughly cooked. Drain.

Stir in tomato paste, oregano, pepper and 1 tbsp. Parmesan cheese. Keep warm this warm while preparing crust.

Separate dough into biscuits. Arrange biscuits in sprayed pan; press over bottom and up sides to form crust.

Spoon hot beef mixture into crust. Place mushrooms over beef mixture. Arrange tomato slices over mushrooms. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and remaining tbsp. of Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

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