Flavors You'll Love

Dried beans and peas are the best food value anywhere. Not only are they tasty, but add rice or cornbread and you have a hearty main dish. Beans add body and texture to a wide array of dishes as well. We enjoy peas in Hoppin' John, a Lowcountry South Carolina rice dish, while red beans and rice help New Orleanians make it through Mondays. You'll likely agree that beans are also a robust addition to chili (unless, of course, you're a Texan).

Beans are amazingly nutritious as well. They're full of proteins, fiber, vitamins, and micronutrients and are low in fat and surprisingly low in calories. Experts believe that a diet rich in legumes can help prevent cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. You can buy all this good health and great taste for as little as $1 for a bag of beans that will feed six to eight people.

So keep some of your favorites in the pantry. Lentils and split peas don't need to soak, but larger beans do. Soak them overnight, or use this quick-soak method if you're in a hurry: Place the beans and water to cover by 2 inches in a Dutch oven, and bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand 1 hour, and drain. Then add desired ingredients, and cook as directed.

Acid and salt can prevent beans from getting tender, so it's best to let them cook a while before adding salt or tomato and other acidic ingredients. Cooked beans also freeze well. -DONNA FLORIO

30 MINUTES TO A SUPER BOWL PARTY

You don't have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing food to celebrate the year's biggest sports event. These sixingredient sweet-and-spicy sausages take only 5 minutes to prepare, with another 20 minutes on the stove, so you can be ready for a gathering with short notice. Serve Spicy Chipotle Barbecue Sausage Bites in a slow cooker, and enjoy them throughout the game.

While the sausages are heating, prepare some of our other party-friendly recipes (or take time to root for your team). For more fast appetizers, visit the Test Kitchens Recipe Box at southernliving.com/february2007.

TO SKIM OR NOT TO SKIM?

Once beans start to boil, a layer of scum bubbles up to the surface. While this Is mostly soluble protein, it may also include impurities and bits of skin from the beans. Most members of our Foods staff remove the scum, but a few don't bother. While it won't hurt to leave it, you'll get a clearer broth by skimming the top of the mixture. Simply remove the scum with a spoon, drop It into a cup or small bowl on the counter, and then discard it when you're done.

Spicy Chipotle Barbecue Sausage Bites

MAKES 12 TO 14 SERVINGS

PREP: 5 MIN., COOK: 20 MIN.

1 (28-oz.) bottle barbecue sauce

1 (18-oz.) jar cherry preserves

3 chopped canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

½ cup water

1 Tbsp. adobo sauce from can

2 (16-oz.) packages cocktail-size smoked sausages

1. Whisk together barbecue sauce, cherry preserves, and next 3 ingredients in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Add smoked sausages, and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.

Note: To serve, keep warm in a slow cooker on LOW, if desired. Serve with miniature rolls, if desired.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Feb 2007
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