Cooking for the Weekend 7…OR FOR THE WEEK….A week of Gluten Free Black Bean Meals

This is the last week in our series of Cooking for the Weekend. I cook ahead for the weekend so I am not in the kitchen all weekend while my husband is home, since he travels a lot during the week. This also keeps us from eating out all weekend. This weaken we are excited to have Kim from Not Consumed, do a guest post and showing how the same idea works for cooking ahead for the week. This idea is flexible to fit the needs of every family.

Kim is just a girl, crazy about Jesus. An avid homeschooling mom of 4 sweet blessings, her heart longs to encourage and equip women to walk victoriously through the fire. She offers practical parenting tips, home school secrets, and comfort for the soul at Not Consumed.

I am always looking for ways to make my life a little easier. As a busy mom, I have found weekend cooking to be a lifesaver. I simply pick the day that works for me and prep for the entire week. While it’s not necessary to have one single theme, today I am going to share how I prepped dinner for a week with black beans. And, as an added bonus…it’s all GLUTEN FREE

Prep Day

Crock pot black beans

My crock pot black beans are easy and delicious. You won’t be tempted to go back to the can, once you have tasted these. The night before prep day, soak 2 packages of dried black beans. On prep morning, rinse the black beans and put them in the crock pot. Hint: no need to dirty a second pot. Simply soak your beans in the crock pot, then rinse. With the beans, place 1/2 c. chopped onion, 1 jalapeño (if desired) and 4 c. chicken or vegetable stock.

Let the beans cook on low for 6 hours. (I do not recommend going past 6 hours, the beans tend to dry out.)

Items to Chop/Grate

Chop Cilantro, onion and zucchini for the week. Grate Cheese. This amount may vary based on you family size and recipe choices.

Items to Prepare

Cook a batch of Cilantro Lime Rice. This rice will not stick together and is great for at least a week.

Plain Quinoa, using the Zucchini and Corn Quinoa recipe. Can be stored for up to a week in the fridge.

Put together Black Bean and Tortilla Bake (you could easily make a second one of these and freeze).

The Menus

Day 1. Black bean tacos with cilantro lime rice. I really like something simple, easy and light on prep day. You can make these tacos how ever you’d like. We use corn tortillas (gluten free) and top with Cilantro Lime Rice and a spoonful of black beans. You can also top with tomatoes and/or sour cream.

Day 2. Zucchini and Corn Quinoa is totally yummy. Follow the recipe exactly when you make the quinoa and it will keep for a week in the fridge. The veggies are flexible. I added some black beans to the recipe. You can also add tomatoes if that makes you smile. If you have done your chopping in advance, all you need to do is sauté the veggies and then mix everything together. Dinner done in 10 minutes! We served with watermelon for a light summery meal.

Day 3. Pull the Black Bean and Tortilla Bake out of the fridge, cover with foil and bake! This meal will keep in the fridge a few days after prep day, but I wouldn’t wait more than a few. Top with sour cream and salsa. Serve with salad or fruit for a complete meal.

Day 4. Baked black beans is by far, my family’s favorite way to eat black beans. Place a few cups of black beans in a 9x 13 pan, sprinkle with Monterrey jack cheese, cover with foil and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. The beans are amazing. And while they are in the oven, I have time to cook some yellow rice and pop some broccoli in the microwave. (The beans are topped with cilantro in the picture, because…well, I can not get enough of the stuff!)

Day 5. With the remaining beans, toss up a nice light southwestern salad. The ingredients pictured are lettuce, tortilla strips, cheese, tomato, black beans, and corn. Top with a cilantro lime vinaigrette. Delicious.

A Great BIG thanks to Kim for doing this GREAT guest post for us, she has been great to work with. Check out her blog, Not Consumed or on FACEBOOK you will be BLESSED by her words about real life, motherhood, and her belief in our Heavenly Father.