Yellow Trio Recipes

BEAN TRIO

Steps:

• For the best basic beans: Cover the beans with cold water to cover by 1 inch, and soak at least 3 hours or up to overnight.
• Rinse the beans and place them in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Top with the garlic, bacon, bay leaves, onion, salt and pepper. Add enough water to cover by 1 inch, then mix and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, then cover the pot halfway (meaning, don't place the lid tightly on the pot) and cook until the liquid is thick and the beans are tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. (Continue to simmer if it needs more time.)
• Serve topped with grated Cheddar and diced red onion.
• For the Tex-Mex beans: Follow the basic beans recipe above, adding the jalapenos, chili powder and hot sauce with the bacon and other ingredients. Simmer the beans according to the directions above. Serve topped with a dollop each of guacamole, salsa and sour cream.
• For the Cajun beans: Follow the basic beans recipe above, adding the andouille sausage, paprika, chile flakes and thyme with the bacon and other ingredients. Simmer the beans according to the directions above. Serve topped with sliced green onions.

YELLOW TRIO

Steps:

• Cut the kernels off an ear of corn; saute in olive oil with yellow squash slices. Toss with yellow grape tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper.
• See all 50 Simple Salads

THREE-PEPPER AND ONION SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Salt the water, add the pasta and cook to al dente.
• Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fennel seeds and stir for 1 minute, then add all the peppers and the onions. Saute for 8 to 10 minutes, then add the garlic and season with salt and pepper, to taste. When the peppers and onions are tender, add the wine and stir for 30 seconds, then add the stock and tomatoes. Reduce the sauce for 7 to 8 minutes.
• Drain the pasta, drop it into the skillet, and toss it with the butter and the sauce. Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl, sprinkle with a little cheese, top with the basil, and serve immediately.

VEGETABLE TRIO

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook and stir the carrots, green beans, mushrooms, salt and thyme in butter over medium-heat for 15 minutes or until beans are crisp-tender.

TRI-COLOUR SWEET PEPPER SOUP

Steps:

• NOTE: Directions are for the original Sweet Pepper Soup. Sometimes, however, I like to "mix things up". For my second version, I reduce the chicken broth to 4 cups, add 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes (I use Del Monte Petite Diced Tomatoes), 1-2 teaspoons of Dijon Mustard, and 1 cup of sour cream. It is a thicker, heartier soup that is equally enjoyable, just different.
• Melt one tablespoon of the butter over medium heat in a large Dutch Oven.
• Sweat the onions for 5 minutes until translucent and slightly yellow. I keep them covered during this process. If necessary, add additional tablespoon of butter so the onions do not burn.
• Add the three different coloured peppers, stirring well, to mix the soft onions and butter with the peppers. Set timer for 15 minutes; every 5 minutes, stir the peppers and onions and "taste test" the peppers to YOUR degree of doneness. We really enjoy a very soft pepper so it takes the full 15 minutes to achieve that texture.
• Add the six cups of chicken broth and the teaspoon of paprika and stir well, until combined. ( if using the can of diced tomatoes, use FOUR cups of chicken broth and the can of diced tomatoes).
• Bring the soup to a boil, reduce down to a simmer and cover. Every 5 minutes, gently stir the soup. Simmer for 30 minutes.
• If you choose to make this a richer soup, use an immersion stick blender to blend up the soup until it is coloured flecks of the peppers. Add the sour cream and Dijon mustard, stir well until heated. DO NOT BOIL!
• Serve immediately.