Bruschetta

Ahhhhhhh - fresh basil!  Yum!  Anything with fresh basil is incredible, especially when it involves oil and bread!

Ingredients:

• fresh tomatoes
• fresh basil
• fresh bread (we use homemade)
• mozzarella cheese
• balsamic vinegar
• olive oil
• salt and pepper

How to:

• Slice the bread and brush olive oil on the slices.  Place face up on a cookie sheet and sprinkle some mozzarella cheese on top.  Toast in oven (use the broiler).
• Mix remaining ingredients to spoon on top.

Enjoy!

Cowgirl (baked) Beans

The kids LOVE beans - especially baked beans - we call them "cowgirl beans"!  We make a big batch and then eat it during the week (dinner side, lunchtime - yum!)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups navy beans (or any type of white bean)
• 1 package bacon
• 1 onion (diced)
• 3 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• scant 1/4 cup brown sugar (I always use less than what the recipe calls for)

How to:

• Rinse and soak the beans overnight.
• Drain the beans.  Layer the beans with bacon and onion in a crock pot. 
• Mix remaining ingredients and pour on top of beans.
• Add enough water to cover the beans.
• Cook on high for two hours and then low for the rest of the day (my crock pot has this as a setting).
• Check every couple hours to see of more water needs to be added.

Enjoy!

Rice Stuffed Tomatoes

This is a great summer side dish.  I usually make it on nights for my hubby and I use the rest of the zucchini and rice for the kids.  It's a great way to have a more "adult" food while not having to have to do too much extra work!

Ingredients:

• 2 tomatoes
• 1/4 zucchini
• 1 small garlic clove
• 2 tsp olive oil
• sprinkle basil
• 1/8 cup rice

How to:

• Slice the tops off the tomatoes and scoop out the inside.  Rinse and drain upside down.
• Cook the rice for 7 minutes in boiling water and drain.
• Heat the oil and cook the zucchini and garlic until soft.
• Mix the rice with the zucchini and garlic.  Sprinkle with basil, salt and pepper.  Stuff the tomatoes with the mixture. 
• Drizzle with oil.  and cover with the tops.
• Cook in a pan with a little bit of water in the bottom (1/4 inch or so) and bake for 15-20 minutes until the rice is cooked through.