Lentil Pilaf, Side Dish

Updated 2022 Need something warm and filling to round out your plate? This lentil pilaf side dish is great for those avoiding simple carbohydrates. It would also easily convert to a vegetarian/vegan dish simply by switching to vegetable stock. I pull out this recipe as the temperatures start to drop. I particularly like it next …

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Hoppin’ John

Heather says: In my corner of the south, Hoppin’ John is a traditional New Year’s dish believed to bring good luck. I’m not superstitious, but some traditions, like this one appeal to me. Every year on New Year’s Day we serve Hoppin’ John, collard greens, and cornbread. Hoppin’ John is a nice, flavorful version of …

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How to Cook with Dried Beans

dried black eyed peas, kidney beans, split peas, and pinto beans on a black background

Dear Home Ec 101, I thought if anyone might have the answer to my questions about how to cook with dried beans, it would be you – I need a “definitive” guide to dealing with dried beans. So far, my Internet and even cookbook searches always yield really varied results.  Should I add salt? Vinegar? …

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When Dry Beans Go Bad

Dear Home Ec 101, I am on hour sixteen, and they still aren’t tender. I gave up the stove top and moved them into a crockpot hours ago.(electricity to run the crockpot is far less expensive than the cost of the gas for the stove) They soaked for 2 days, not kidding. what am I …

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Beans, beans- the musical fruit

Dear Home-Ec 101, To save money, I have started incorporating a lot of dried beans into my diet. Unfortunately, I’ve been experiencing lots of, um, gastrointestinal distress. To put it bluntly, my gas is very embarrassing. I don’t want to take beano, are there any other ways to combat this? Thanks, Gina in Gaston Ivy …

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