Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

This is the ultimate in thriftiness and convenience - beans in a slow cooker. The long, slow cooking time coaxes all the flavor from the sausage into the beans for a mild yet full-flavored dish. You can also cook in on low heat for 8 hours.
Yield

4 servings (serving size: 1 cup bean mixture, 3/4 cup rice, and 1 tablespoon green onions)
Ingredients

* 3 cups water
* 1 cup dried red kidney beans
* 1 cup chopped onion
* 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
* 3/4 cup chopped celery
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 teaspoon paprika
* 3/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/2 (14-ounce) package turkey, pork, and beef smoked sausage, thinly sliced (such as Healthy Choice)
* 1 bay leaf
* 5 garlic cloves, minced
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3 cups hot cooked long-grain rice
* 1/4 cup chopped green onions

Preparation

Combine first 12 ingredients in an electric slow cooker. Cover with lid; cook on high heat for 5 hours. Discard bay leaf; stir in salt. Serve over rice; sprinkle servings evenly with green onions.
Nutritional Information

Calories:
413 (5% from fat)
Fat:
2.5g (sat 0.7g,mono 0.2g,poly 0.5g)
Protein:
21.1g
Carbohydrate:
76.3g
Fiber:
10.1g
Cholesterol:
18mg
Iron:
6mg
Sodium:
749mg
Calcium:
102mg

Tips for a Healthy Diet and Better Nutrition

Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible – all which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and incorporating them in a way that works for you.

Choose the types of foods that improve your health and avoid the types of foods that raise your risk for such illnesses as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Expand your range of healthy choices to include a wide variety of delicious foods. Learn to use guidelines and tips for creating and maintaining a satisfying, healthy diet.