Dried beans are a pantry superhero - inexpensive and easy to prepare. Get a head start by cooking the beans in advance. They can be stored, covered and refrigerated, up to 3 days.
It's never a bad idea to have a good supply of dumplings on hand. Ours taste way better and are much lower in sodium than what you'll find at the store. Plus, they go from freezer to plate in only 10 minutes--what could be easier? Just cook what you need tonight, and stash the rest in the freezer for a busy night later.
