Menu-less

I mistakenly didn't get a menu list made this week. I started to on Sunday night, but got distracted, and here we are to Friday already! The weeks fly by for me! I enjoy knowing what I'm planning to make for supper. I simply make a list of the meals I plan to have, and then pick one that sounds good for a particular night. I do not like the "what's for dinner?" question nagging me all day, so going off of a list is an easy fix. To avoid a grilled cheese dinner night, I decided to make something in the crockpot. I love cooler weather, b/c it's great for soups and crockpot meals. I'm all for easy/fast meals nowdays. :)

Here's the recipe:

Cuban Black Beans

1 lb black beans (soaked and then cooked--directions on the pkg)

6 cloves garlic

1 lg onion

6 oz tomato paste

1 gr. pepper

1/4 c. olive oil

5 c. water

1 jar pimentos (4 oz)

1 T vinegar

2 tsp salt (wait till ready to serve, otherwise you'll have hard beans)

1 t. sugar

1 t. peper

~Saute onion, garlic, and green pepper. Cook beans. Put all in the crockpot for 6 hrs or so.

~Here's my variation:

I used way more onions and garlic and I did not saute them...I just threw them in the crockpot.

I cooked my beans all the way and put them in the crockpot...accidentally pouring excess water in too. Thus I added another 12 oz can of tomato paste. And 1 c. of brown rice. I don't keep pimentos on hand, so I axed those. I didn't add the olive oil.

My hubby tries to go w/ the flow if I make something meatless, but he loves meat, so I added 5 diced (cooked) brats...just for him, you know. :)

Happy Friday!