Introducing Easy as Pie's Perfect 10!

This is the first in a series of meal recipes that cost less than $10 and take less than 10 minutes of active time to make, with 10 or fewer ingredients. If you're busy like me (and who isn't these days?), these are the perfect dinner solutions!

This week, Tuscan Pork & Beans with Steamed Carrots for $9.55

This recipe does require thinking ahead a little, but still doesn't actually take much time over the stove to prepare. There are a couple of options with the pork and beans. I'm calling the dish "Tuscan" because it has Italian seasoning in it. I went to a Mexican restaurant for lunch the very day I made this for dinner and realized their Olla Bean Soup with Carnitas was almost identical, with slightly different spices. So, you could use Mexican or Fajita seasoning and substitute cilantro for the parsley and voila: South of the border flair.

I recommend using dried beans. First of all, it's cheaper. Then there's the dirty little secret about beans--they don't make you nearly as gassy if you use dried beans and soak them overnight instead of using canned beans. I'm not a scientist, so I'm not sure why it works, but you can read some theories here and here. All I know is it works for me. If you're dealing with food intolerances like I am, you'll jump at the chance to, um, degassify your food as much as possible.

Tuscan Pork & Beans--$8.05
1 pound dried navy beans ($1.50) or 3 cans prepared beans ($5.25!)
1 pound boneless pork loin ($5)
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning ($.25)
2 bay leaves ($.20)
2 teaspoons salt
3 green onions, sliced ($.50)
1 tomato, chopped ($.50)
1 sprig parsley, chopped ($.10)

Soak the beans overnight covered in cold water. Drain them. Cover them with fresh water in a pot, and let them simmer for 30-40 minutes. Lay the pork at the bottom of a slow cooker pot. Pour the beans over it, along with the water you cooked them in. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and bay leaves and stir. Cook on low heat 8-10 hours. Serve topped with tomatoes, green onions, and parsley.

Steamed Baby Carrots ($1.50)
1 pound bag baby carrots ($1.50)
butter or margarine

I like to use steamer bags to steam my veggies in the microwave. Just follow the directions on the bag (usually 5-6 minutes for a decent amount of carrots). Or you can use a steamer basket in a pan on the stove. Steaming keeps more of the nutrients in the vegetables than other cooking methods. Top the carrots with butter or margarine as you like, and enjoy!

Comments

[air max 2009]

Most people typically work from their company's central location, a physical space where everyone from that organization gathers to exchange ideas and organize their efforts.

[Amy]

Oh, if you can't eat tomatoes, top it with red peppers. Also very good.

[Mrs Lemon]

That looks so yummy! I've been buying pre-seasoned pork roast recently, I'll bet using the leftovers from that would really be delicious.