Manifesto Joe's Beans And Franks

Another cheap, filling and tasty meal.

Ingredients:

Frankfurters, four, cut into bite-size pieces: I recommend Hebrew National 97% fat free, for reduced fat. And they taste great. But any kind will do.

A can of baked beans; popular styles are fine. A can of pork and beans will do, but try to get baked.

One medium onion, chopped

Several cloves of garlic, minced

Chile peppers, to taste. I recommend jalapenos, chopped, optional according to heat preference.

Olive oil, about a tablespoon

Spicy mustard, about a tablespoon

Celery seed, about half a teaspoon

Ketchup and BBQ sauce -- about a tablespoon of each

Worchestershire sauce, about a tablespoon

Liquid smoke, about a teaspoon

About half of a large tomato, chopped

About half of a bell pepper, chopped

One slice of bacon. Cook it first if you want less fat. Then chop or crumble.

Combine all ingredients in a pan, bring to a boil, then simmer. Add an egg and stir thoroughly if you want a thicker consistency. Simmer a bit more.

I don't recommend adding any salt to this. The primary ingredients usually have plenty.

Serve quickly, with any kind of bread or potato accompaniment you like. A beer is good with this.

Serves two. Reheats well.

Cajun Beans And Rice With Sausage

A cheap, filling and good meal!

Ingredients:

Italian sausage, sliced. I understand that they use that for "stews" in New Orleans. Andouille sausage is great if you can find it. If not, Italian will do fine, and turkey Italian sausage is leaner.

Jalapeno peppers, fresh, chopped, amount according to heat preference

Tomatoes, fresh, chopped and combined with some tomato sauce. Some ketchup is OK in a pinch, but get the fresh tomatoes in there.

Celery, chopped (same for veggies listed below)

Bell pepper

Onion

Garlic

Cajun spices -- thyme, bay leaf, sage, paprika, black pepper, etc.

Cayenne pepper and/or Louisiana hot sauce (optional, according to heat preference)

Olive oil

Red wine vinegar, just a little. Balsamic will do.

A slice or two of bacon, chopped or crumbled. Cook it first if you want less fat.

A cup or so of chicken broth

All other amounts -- use common sense

Saute all of the above until the sausage is cooked. Then add:

Can(s) of red beans, or kidney beans, drained if appropriate. Black beans also work. If you want to use dry beans, soak and cook ahead of time.

Rice, as much as you like. Brown is most healthful. Long-grain white is more traditional.

Salt, to taste. The chicken broth is often salty, so it might be best to save this for the table.

Finish with cilantro or Italian parsley, chopped. Once the rice is cooked, if the texture is too thick, thin with water.

Keep sauteeing until everything is cooked and hot. Serve immediately. It refrigerates well, reheated in the microwave.

Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the Bayou.