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Menu Plan for Spring I: Week 3, Thursday

Pasta with Red Beans and Ham

Cooking time:  30 minutes for menu      Cooking schedule: see below for instructions

            Prosciutto is well-known, but all Mediterranean countries have many varieties of local, dry-cured hams with a big range in prices.  For this I buy the cheaper cuts in thick slices.  A small amount adds a big flavor.  Use the larger quantity of traditional pink or deli ham if you prefer.  Or leave it out for a vegetarian version.

Pasta with Red Beans and Ham

Total time: 30 minutes 
     Beans are a major vegetable in both France and Spain, but are normally sold plain, rarely flavored or spiced.  Frying the chili powder releases more of the flavor.

 Ingredients:

• 1 cup (3.3oz, 95gr) dried pasta, penne, rigatoni
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 rib celery
• 1/2 green bell pepper
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 15oz (450gr) whole tomatoes
• 4oz (120gr) dry-cured ham, Prosciutto, Serrano or 8oz (240gr) deli or baked ham
• 15oz (450gr) red kidney beans
• 4oz (120gr) chopped green chilies
• 1 tbs chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 2 bay leaves, fresh or dried
• few drops hot pepper sauce   optional

 Instructions:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
• Chop onion, celery and pepper.
• Finely chop garlic. 
• Trim ham and cut into bite-size pieces.
• Drain and rinse the beans.
• Drain the tomatoes, reserving the juice, then roughly chop.
• Heat oil in large, nonstick skillet over medium heat.   Add chili powder and sauté 1 minute.
• Add onion, celery, pepper, garlic and sauté 7 - 8 minutes.
• Add ham and sauté briefly.
• Add beans, tomatoes, juices, herbs and hot pepper sauce if using.
• Cover and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
• Add green chilies and simmer 5 minutes longer.
• Taste, adjust heat, remove bay leaves, add to pasta and toss well.  Serve. 

Cooking schedule: 30 minutes Assemble all food, utensils and serving dishes Utensils: measuring cups, spoons, knives, large skillet with lid, pot and colander for pasta Put water on high heat for pasta Chop onion, celery, pepper Mince garlic Sauté chili powder Add onion, celery, pepper, garlic, sauté Drain, rinse beans

Cook pasta Cut ham, add to skillet, sauté Chop tomatoes Add beans, tomatoes, juices, herbs, cover, simmer Chop chilis if needed, add      Pause while it all cooks Drain pasta Adjust heat in beans if needed, remove bay leaves Add to pasta, toss well Serve

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By Katie Zeller

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