Pork Chop Louisiana

PORK CHOP LOUISIANA *this is obviously modified from round steak

4 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
1 pepper, sliced or I used frozen roasted peppers about 3/4 a cup
2-3 pork chops, sliced into strips
1 Tbsp oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp flour
2 cans stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 C beef broth
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp pepper
cooked brown rice

Brown pork chops in oil and remove from pan.  Add flour to drippings/oil and mix well.  Add stewed tomatoes, broth, sugar, spices, garlic to pan.  Cook until the mixture starts to thicken slightly.  Layer sweet potatoes, onions, pepper in large baking dish.  Pour tomato mixture over veggies and then put the meat on top.  Bake covered at 350 for a hours or till meat and veggies are done.  Serve over a little brown rice to pick up all the yummy juices ;)

Spinach Lasagna

SPINACH LASAGNA

9 lasagna noodles (or enough to make 3 layers in a 9x13), cooked (if you need to)
1 jar spaghetti sauce or 32oz of homemade sauce (use meatless if you want vegetarian)
1 C chopped onion
4 cloves minced garlic
1/2 C chopped mushrooms (I use dried and just rehydrate them if I don't have fresh ones)
1/2-1 C roasted peppers chopped (I often used the frozen kind)
1 (10oz) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained (can use fresh)
1 (15oz) package of ricotta cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp fresh basil
1 tsp oregano
1 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese

Cook onion in a small amount of butter.  Add garlic and mushrooms and saute till tender.  Stir in peppers and cook for another minute or two then let cool.
Combine egg and ricotta cheese.  Add basil, oregano, mozzarella, Parmesan, and spinach.  Mix together.  Add pepper mixture to to cheese mixture and stir.
Spread 1/2 C spaghetti sauce on bottom of pan.  Layer - noodles, 1/2 cheese mixture, 1 C spaghetti sauce, noodles, 1/2 cheese mixture (rest of it), 1 C spaghetti sauce, noodles, 1/2-1 C spaghetti sauce.  Top with Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 375 covered for 20 minutes.  Uncover and bake another 10-15 minutes

Black Bean Soup

BLACK BEAN SOUP (seriously good)
 *original recipe from Meredith

1 onion, chopped finely
1 T. olive oil
1 red bell pepper, chopped finely
2 carrots, diced small
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 (14.5 oz). can crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 4 oz. can diced green chilies
2 tsp. ground cumin
3 C. chicken or vegetable broth
6 C. cooked black beans, drained (or 4 15 oz. cans)
¼ C. red wine vinegar
1 C frozen corn or 1 can of corn

Heat oil in large, deep saucepan. Sauté onion, bell pepper, carrot, and garlic until tender. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 20-30 minutes (until it thickens a bit and the vegetables are all very tender).
Ingredients with this recipe are forgiving.  You don't need exact amounts, use more or less of your favorites!  I always add more broth because it is sooo good.