OKEFENOKEE STEW

Serves 8

This delicious, easy-to-prepare stew was inspired by a balmy southern evening in the Okefenokee Swamp. For traditional southern flavors, what better than okra and black-eyed peas?

       ½ cup red wine

       1 large onion, chopped

       1 bell pepper, diced

       2 stalks celery, sliced

       3–4 cups sliced okra (¾ to 1 pound)

       1 15-ounce can chopped tomatoes

       2 teaspoons each: chili powder and oregano

       1 tablespoon soy sauce

       1 can black-eyed peas, with liquid

       2 cups frozen corn

Heat wine in a large pot and cook chopped onion until tender, about 5 minutes. Add celery, bell pepper, okra, tomatoes, and seasonings. Lower heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Add black-eyed peas and corn and simmer 5 to 10 minutes longer. Serve over cooked brown rice.

Per serving: 126 calories; 5 grams protein; 24 grams carbohydrate; 0 grams fat; 324 mg of sodium; 0 mg cholesterol