Sweet & Savory - Chipotle Chile Pepper Pinto Bean Soup

'Tis the season for delicious soups and stews. This one is sure to warm you from head to toe!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups pinto beans (I soak 2 cups of dry pinto beans overnight with 1 tsp. baking soda and water.  Drain in colander before placing inside crock pot, stock pot, or sauce pan.)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 Tbsp. garlic, diced
• 1 cup boiled, diced bratwurst or smoked sausage (place sausage in medium saucepan and simmer gently for about 15 minutes which helps to remove some of the excess calories.)
• 2 tsp. Chipotle Chile Pepper
• 1 tsp. ground kosher salt, optional
• 1 - 15 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 - 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
• Add water to achieve desired consistency

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS:

• This recipe can be prepared in a stock pot or saucepan on top of the stove or in a crock pot.
• If using a crock pot, cook on high level for approximately 6 hours to assure that beans are thoroughly cooked.
• Serve with bread or rolls.
• Diced potatoes can also be added to the recipe, if desired.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• Bake a pan of diced green chile cornbread and serve with this delicious soup.
• Cooked rice is also a tasty accompaniment. 

Soup's on, so enjoy!

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Sweet & Savory Thursday ~~ Breakfast Casserole

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 slices of bread, cubed with crusts removed
• 1 pound of sausage, browned and well drained
• 9 beaten eggs
• 3 cups milk (or 1 1/2 cups each of milk and half & half)
• 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
• 3 Tbsp. dehydrated onion
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. salt, optional
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 Tbsp. Cajun Sunshine or hot sauce of your choice
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Paprika

DIRECTIONS:

• Place bread cubes in the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish
• Sprinkle browned sausage evenly over the bread cubes
• In a large bowl, beat the eggs well.  Add the milk (or milk and half & half) and all other ingredients.  Mix well.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Sprinkle paprika over the top.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean
• Serves 12.

This is a great recipe to prepare for the holidays or when you are having out of town company pay you a visit.

Serve with fresh fruit and breakfast rolls.

Happy Breakfasting or Brunching!

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