New Orleans Red Beans and Rice , medium $6-7

Ingredients: 
1 pound dried red beans
7 cups water
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
3 tablespoons Creole seasoning*
Hot cooked rice**
Garnish: sliced green onions

Preparation: 
Place first 8 ingredients in a 4-quart slow cooker. (red beans are in the freezer container.)
The other ingredients are in a ziplock bag (no water in the bag).
Add 7 cups of water and cook, covered, at HIGH 7 hours or until beans are tender.
Serve with hot cooked rice (brown rice is also in freezer container) Garnish, if desired.

*Creole seasoning
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons dried basil
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon white pepper
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
5 tablespoons paprika
3 tablespoons salt

** Rice directions
On stovetop
1. Bring 2 1/2 C water to boil in 2-quart saucepan.
2. Stir in rice.
3. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer 45 min.
4. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Microwave
1. Mix 3 cups water and rice in 2 1/2 quart microwave dish.
2. Microwave on high 10 min uncovered, then microwave for 20 min at 50% power.
3. Let sit for 5 min 4. Fluff with fork and serve.