Red Beans and Rice

This is easy. Combine and bake. I love recipes like this.

4 strips bacon, uncooked and diced
1 can red beans, undrained
2 c. water
1 c. rice
1/2 onion, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
1/2 tsp. white vinegar
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tsp. cumin
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/8 tsp. sage
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/16 tsp. cardamom
1/16 tsp. ground cloves

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a Dutch oven or other oven-safe casserole.
3. Bake for 60 minutes.

Chocolate Cake with Buttercream Frosting

2 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. soft butter
2 c. sugar
2 c. boiling water
2 eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream vanilla, butter and sugar. Add boiling water, blend, then add the eggs and mix until well blended.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix well.
5. Pour into an ungreased 9x13 pan and bake for 30 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.

Buttercream Frosting

3 1/2 c. powdered sugar, sifted
1/3 c. soft butter
1/8 tsp. salt (eliminate if using salted butter)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3-5 tbsp. milk

1. Beat together the powdered sugar, butter, salt and vanilla.
2. Add enough milk to get the frosting to a good spreading consistency.

Blueberry Spice Muffins

1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 c. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 c. melted butter
1 1/4 c. fresh blueberries
Topping:
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, combine the egg, milk and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients along
with the melted butter. Stir just until moistened.
4. Fold in the blueberries.
5. Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full.
6. Combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the batter.
7. Bake for 16-20 minutes or until browned and springy. Cool a few minutes in the pan; remove to a wire rack.
Yield: 12 muffins

Baked Sea Scallops

You could use large shrimp instead of scallops.

1 lb. fresh sea scallops
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 1/2 tsp. dried parsley (1 1/2 tbsp. fresh)
3/4 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper

1. Wash scallops in cold water; put on paper towels and pat with paper towels to dry.
2. Place scallops in buttered baking dish in a single layer.
3. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Pour over scallops.
4. Bake at 350 F for 25-30 minutes.