Kielbasa & Red Kidney Beans

Are you are in a hurry and with not a lot of money to feed a family of 4? This it the dish for you. Double it if you have more mouths to feed. Or take leftovers for lunch. It is a favorite in my house. I came back from teaching Zumba and going to the supermarket tonight around 8:15pm and I had dinner done by 8:50pm. And it took a little longer because I was taking pictures of the different steps. So here is the list of ingredients:

1 package Polish Kielbasa (right now Bi-Lo has buy one get one free).
2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves finely chopped
Several sprigs of chives or cilantro. I used chives this time since I have them in my herb garden.
5 small tomatoes quartered. I had some in my garden too. Just picked.
1 tsp of Goya Adobo seasoning. Or use your favorite seasoning. You can't go wrong.
Salt & Pepper
1/2 yellow onion diced
2 cans dark red kidney beans. Do NOT discard the liquid.

Cooked white rice for serving. I have a rice cooker. No fuss, no mess, awesome rice.

Take the kielbasa out of the package and slice it in 1/4 inch slices.



Mince the garlic, quarter the tomatoes, dice the chives and the yellow onions.



Take the saute pan and a heat it up, add the olive oil to warm up.



Add the chopped veggies and saute until translucent. Sprinkle with the Goya Adobo Seasoning.


Add the kielbasa and cook until the sausage is heated up and the tomatoes are starting to release its juices and the skin is starting to shrivel.


Add the 2 cans of kidney beans and all its juice. This will make a great sauce. Cook until all the ingredients are nice and hot and the sauce has thickened a bit. Taste for seasoning. This is where you add some more salt if needed and some pepper.


Take a bowl and put a bed of rice in it.


Top it with the kielbasa-bean mixture. Add some of the sauce.


Serve with a small side salad or cooked broccoli. Want to save more time? Buy the tomatoes that come diced and that already contain either garlic and oregano or chilies and lime. The process is the same, you just get wonderful different flavors.

I love the versatility of kielbasa. Do you have a box of pasta in the pantry? Cook it as normal. Slice and saute the kielbasa in some olive oil and garlic. Add a can of your favorite spaghetti sauce. Add the pasta and mix A nice change from meatballs. Hope you enjoy this quick tip.

I do these fast dishes quite a bit in order to have dinner with my family. I read somewhere that children who grow up in homes that sit down together to eat and the parents who actually listen to them are less likely to become involved in drugs or smoke cigarettes. I think it works. Thank God my boy has not been involved in either thing. The conversation might be out in left field when you talk to kids or teens, but it is important to them. Food can bring you together and you get to know each other better. Memories are created at the dinner table. I will always cherish mine.