Happy January 2005 Everyone!

In the December issue of Hot & Spicy Foods newsletter I talked about incorporating fruit into daily meals. Pears are a good start. Most people like them and they they cook up nicely. Buy pears often, they are an excellent source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C. Plus one medium-sized pear is only about 100 calories. Below are some pear recipes along with others that appeared earlier this month. But first, I would like to share this easy casserole-type green bean recipe. The bread to serve with this dish is corn bread or corn muffins.

Spicy Green Beans

2 15 oz. cans whole green beans, drained
1 medium white onion, sliced
1 can Rotel Tomatoes*
Salt to taste

Cook onion until transparent. Add green beans and tomatoes and stir to mix. Cook covered over low heat for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice.

*Rotel is a brand. Use 'original' Ro*tel Diced Tomatoes and Green chilies. If you love hot and spicy foods, all varieties of these tomatoes should be a staple in your kitchen.

Food Hint
*Too much salt in your soup? A cup potato will remove some of the salt by absorbing it. Cut up a medium or large raw potato and add it to the soup pot.

Look for spotlight on peaches next month.

Vannie