102 red cai recipes

Low-calorie calzones made with frozen bread dough, stuffed with spinach, fat-free mozzarella, tomato paste, mushrooms, and a splash of red wine. Golden, cheesy, and guilt-free.

Slow cooker vegetarian chili with red kidney beans, brown rice, potatoes, cabbage, and tomatoes. Set it and forget it for 6 to 8 hours, then ladle out thick, hearty bowls for a crowd of 8.

Fowl gumbo with boiled chicken, okra, tomatoes, bell pepper, and celery in a rich brown gravy, finished with file powder. Serve over rice or cornbread for a true Southern bowl.

Vegetarian country chili with kidney beans, canned tomatoes, and a basil-oregano-thyme spice blend. Diabetic-friendly, ready in 25 minutes, no meat needed.

Vegan gumbo with okra, corn, crushed tomatoes, and the Cajun holy trinity sautéed in water instead of oil. A quick 30-minute plant-based soup that's full of Southern flavor.

Ham and three-bean soup with navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, and stewed tomatoes in a chili-spiced broth. One pot, no soaking, and ready in 40 minutes.

Venison swiss steak braises dredged venison round in bacon grease then slow-cooks it in stewed tomatoes, beer, and beef stock until fork-tender. The classic Midwestern hunter's preparation.

Thai hot and sour shrimp soup (Tom Yum Goong) with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, red curry paste, fish sauce, and fresh lime juice. A fragrant, spicy broth ready in 35 minutes.

Rotini and kidney bean casserole layered with canned tomatoes, bologna, onions, and tomato sauce topped with parmesan. A hearty, budget-friendly baked pasta dinner.

Boneless beef rib eye roast seasoned simply and oven-roasted, then carved thin and served with a savory red wine and mushroom pan sauce. Elegant enough for holidays, easy enough for Sunday dinner.

Fruit chili relish combines tomatoes, peaches, apples, onions, and red peppers cooked down with pickling spices and cider vinegar. A sweet-tangy preserve for canning.

Root beer baked beans with bacon, barbecue sauce, dry mustard, and hot sauce simmered together on the stovetop. A sweet, smoky, slightly spicy side dish ready in 40 minutes.

Garden-loaded ratatouille sauce with eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and sweet potato tossed with ziti and showered in fresh basil and mint. A vibrant, plant-based pasta that eats like a celebration of summer produce.

Greek garbanzo bean soup with kidney beans, tomato sauce, and vegetables sauteed in broth instead of oil. Half-pureed for a thick, hearty texture that's naturally low in fat.

Note: 15 bean mixtures are available packaged in supermarkets and health food stores. If you prefer, make your own by combining equal amounts of dried blackeyed peas, red kidney beans, white kidney beans (cannellini), green lentils, split peas, black beans, yellow split peas, navy beans, cranberry (Roman, shell, or shell out) beans, great Northern beans, pinto beans, small white limas, red lentils, cow peas (field peas), and pink beans. Avoid using beans such as garbanzos and large lima beans, as these take longer to cook than other varities.

A thick, tomato-based Southern Brunswick stew with diced chicken, lima beans, corn, and okra simmered in broth with Worcestershire and a splash of hot sauce. Hearty, no-fuss comfort food that feeds six.