Here's the Red Bean and Rice Soup from the January 1998 Williams-Sonoma Catalog 1 T olive oil 1/2 c diced bacon 1 1/2 c chopped onions 1/4 c chopped green bell peppers 1 T minced garlic 4 bay leaves 6 oz. sliced andouille sausage 1 small smoked ham hock (5-6 oz.) 2 c dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight 1 T Creole seasoning 1T Worcestershire sauce 2 qt. chicken stock 1 t salt 1 1/2 c cooked long-grain white rice, warm 6 T chopped green onions. Heat oil in a large heavy pot over high heat. Add bacon; saute 2 min. Add onions, peppers, garlic, bay leaves, sausage and ham hock and cook, stirring, 2 min. Add beans and cook 2 min. Stir in Creole seasoning, W sauce and stock; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook 1 min. Add salt, cover pot and cook 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let the pot sit, covered, for 20 minutes. Discard ham hock (and bay leaves, I'd say). Serve in 6 individual bowls, each topped with 1/4 c rice and 1 T green onions. Serves 6.

and add some Louisiana Hot Sauce

I love red beans and rice, but I would never go to that much trouble to make it. I'm a 6-ingredient max kind of gal.

are you counting herbs and spices as ingredients? The best part is seasoning, so I never look upon it as a chore!

I'd leave out the sausage in the above recipe.

No, herbs and spices don't count but don't expect me to measure them!

you go Autumn, I don't measure mine either (course, I'm not a chef, so take it as you like) *wink*

Never measure either but man, was I excited to get stainless steell measuring cups and spoons for Christmas! They just look good! I'm pretty competent in the kitchen and measuring doesn't occur to me because I tend to shy away from receipes. WER and I talked about this a few weeks ago... you read a couple versions for what you want to make, take what you like, use it and amend or omit various other ingredients (directions). Works okay for me. Only a problem when someone asks for a receipe. "You just put enough in until it looks right!"

My mom gave has an Amish cookbook--since they have no electricity, everything is cooked in a fire-powered oven, with no temperature settings. All the baking directions say "Cook until done." Combine that with your philosophy and you'd have the most ambiguous cookbook ever published!

sounds great!

I believe that all a cookbook was intended to be was a general guide to proportions and preparation. It's up to the cook to make it work. After all, this is not explosives you are making, it's food.

My philosophy as well, Tim! The first thing I do when I clip a new recipe is modify it to my liking. It's like I'm negotiating with it. "We're gonna halve that oil and substitute applesauce for the remainder"..."OK, I'll use white flour, but I'm adding wheat germ too"..."Raisins?? I don't think so! Now, where are the chocolate chips?"

I want some of those cookies!!

Ha-ha, muffins actually! With lots of extra peanut butter.....

So that is what you wanted the peanut butter for.

Among other things--we are big-time peanut butter lovers, here.

Buy a blender from Vita-Mix and make your own peanut butter. Peanuts are cheaper in 50lb sacks anyway.

Mahalene, out at my Cedar Creek house, has a Vita Mix and she gives it a good workout.

Interesting sounding piece of apparatus. Good idea for a christmas present too.

They're kinda 'spensive. But they work great. Definitely a luxury item.

They are expensive, but they last forever. I bought one for my parents in 1967. When I got them a more deluxe version in 1978, they gave the first one to my sister. she is still using it. 31 years is pretty good for an electrical appliance.

That's really amazing. I can get one for my mum - she drinks coffee all day.

Good Idea, It will grind coffee.

NO! REALLY?!?! I would never have figured that out if you didn't tell me! �tongue out time!�

Most of the blenders sold in this country won't do that, Riette.

We're going to have to work on that tongue, Riette! This could be fun!

Fun is good! I thought we were talking about a coffee grinder! And I can't even stick my tongue out at myself!

Riette, we were talking about a blender, that will liquify fruit, as well as grind coffee, corn, wheat, and rice.

and loose tongues...

I suppose It'd whack any body part that you were dumb enough to stick into the blades.

Ouch! No more loose tongues! Not around you anyway! Wer, YOU'RE a fine one to speak of loose tongues! Great to see you.

Of course you would need a tongue 18 inches long, Riette. Otherwise it would not reach.

How do you think I type in my responses?

Actually I thought this was a function you had reserved for that extra finger, you were talking about growing.

ha-ha!!! No, that one serves only the kind of purpose nobody/nothing else would want to take over! My tongue is long, but not long enough to scratch an itching backside with!

Riette, It sounds like you may have a flexibility problem. We'll have to work on that.

I dread to ask. But...how?

Exercises, Riette, Exercises

Specialized you mean?

Highly specialized, Riette, I'll have to show you, slowly and in great detail.

There is such a thing as slow excercise? It will defenitely be a first for me.

Riette, You're kidding. Right. You have never done slow exercises?

Never - I'm not kidding. I always thought it odd, but nobody else did, and so I never got the chance to try it out.

Riette, slow exercise with heavy resistance builds muscle quickest.

You mean if I exercise very slowly, you'll call me 'Arnold' at the end of it?

Riette, I did not say that it would build muscle on you.

ha-ha!!! You got me! Just don't let go....

OK Riette, don't worry. I would not think of it!!!

'Cos I'd have a mightly long way to fall, and I don't bounce!

Riette we could tie a bungee cord on you, that way,if you started to go, you,d bounce right back!!!

ha-ha! I'd probably knock you out if that happened! I'm heavy, you know! Especially when stuffed with chocolates! Or anything else for that matter!

from http://www.oneida-nation.net/ The Three Sisters Story - Modern day agriculturists know it as the genius of the Indians, who interplanted pole beans and squash with corn, using the strength of the sturdy corn stalks to support the twining beans and the shade of the spreading squash vines to trap moisture for the growing crop. Research has further revealed the additional benefits of this "companion plant-ing.'' The bacterial colonies on the bean roots capture nitrogen from the air, some of which is released into the soil to nourish the high nitrogen needs of the corn. To Native Americans, however, the meaning of the Three Sisters runs deep into the physical and spiritual well-being of their people. Known as the "sustainers of life," the Iroquois consider corn, beans and squash to be special gifts from the Creator. The well-being of each crop is believed to be protected by one of the Three Sister Spirits. Many an Indian legend has been woven around the "Three Sisters" -sisters who would never be apart from one another- sisters who should b planted together, eaten together and celebrated together.

that is pretty neat....i've heard of companion planting (like geraniums with tomatoes)--is that the same thing?

That is why they plant alfalfa to rotate crops. Gotta have some sort of pea/bean crop for the nitrogen fixing bacteria !! Absolutely!

I think the planting of marigolds with tomatoes is aerial work. The legumes enrich the soil and plants from the roots up.

but, tomato pests HATE marigolds (the smell).....except that neither of mine survived the dreadful heat (just couldn't keep up with the watering). out of 4 grape tomato plants, only got 2 tomatoes.

THAT is why you plant marigolds around tomato plants. The legumes enrich the soil so the plants grow strong and set flower. You plant the marigolds to ward off the pests after the strong plants have made lovely leaves and tomatoes!

exactly!