Brown Rice and Beans with Ginger Chile Sauce

Brown Rice and Beans with Ginger Chile Sauce

My friend Mary sent me this great Bon Appetit recipe that she had recently tried and loved.  Any rice and beans combo goes over great in my house, so we tried it out last week!

 

You start by cooking brown rice, and then tossing it with fresh cilantro.  I had rice on hand so I re-heated 2 cups worth and added in the fresh cilantro and a little sea salt.  It smelled great!

 

Then I cooked a little chopped onion in olive oil, added in cumin and coriander and let it cook through.  Then added in rinsed & drained black beans, vegetable broth, and a little salt and pepper.  I brought it to a boil, then let it simmer about 8 minutes until the beans were thickened.

 

I somehow didn't get a photo of the ginger chile sauce.

It's very simple - in a blender pulse 2 chiles that have been seeded, a garlic clove, 1 Tbsp of chopped ginger, lime zest, lime juice, and a little bit of onion together to make a flavorful salsa. 

 

 

In addition, I had some sweet peppers so I roasted them in the oven to serve with the beans and rice.

 

The original recipe doesn't call for serving on corn tortillas, but I had some so we made little burritos with ours.  Top the cilantro rice, black beans, salsa, and roasted peppers with halved cherry tomatoes, Cotija or feta cheese crumbles, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for squeezing.

 

Really, really great - the beans disappeared completely.  They were so good!

 

Double click to print as a 5x7 recipe card.

Enjoy!

Endive Avocado Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Endive Avocado Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

 

So first off I have to ask - what is a salad dressing that is made from herbs, citrus, & oil but contains no vinegar?  Is it still a Vinaigrette?  Let's go with that for now, OK?

 

I saw this delicious salad on Andie's blog Can You Stay for Dinner? 

 

And because I had most of the ingredients on hand, I decided to make it to go with pasta and basil marinara I was already planning last night.

 

It was so, so good, and fresh.

And a very simple recipe, perfect for the spring with all the great produce out.

 

Whisk up the Vinaigrette of fresh lemon juice, a minced garlic clove, olive oil, shredded Parmesan, salt, & pepper.  Then toss the lettuce with the dressing and plate it for each person.  I used endive because it's what I had and was tired of romaine.  Andie's original recipe calls for arugula.  Your pick!

 

Top with halved cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado and a sprinkling of Sea Salt and black pepper.

 

I had a big avocado so we all got generous portions of sliced avocado.  Win-win.

 

Brennan and David felt like it might be a little too lemon-y so you can play with the flavor as you're making up your dressing. 

 

Double click to print as a 5x7 recipe card.

 

Enjoy!

 

Mushroom Bisque

Mushroom Bisque

 

I had this soup at a Service League luncheon and it was so good.

I made it for Brennan, David, and me one night and while they didn't love it like I did, I think I could easily modify it and they'd really enjoy it.

 

You start by sauteing cremini (baby portobello) mushrooms and chopped onion in olive oil until the onions are translucent.  I would chop the onions more finely for David next time.

 

Then add vegetable broth and allow to simmer.

In the blender I added more vegetable broth, milk (I used almond but any kind is OK), seasonings, the remaining mushrooms, and walnuts that I had toasted in the oven for 10 minutes first.  I would puree this more finely for Brennan next time.

 

Then I added the blended vegetables and liquids to the cooked vegetables and let it simmer for awhile.  

Then I served it with salad and warm crusty bread.

Double click to print as a 5x7 recipe card.

 

Enjoy!



Red Pepper Dip

Red Pepper Dip

 

I found this dip in a magazine, and I wish I could tell you which one!  I ripped it out and didn't keep the bottom of the page where it tells you which magazine.  My guess is Good Housekeeping, Fitness, or Real Simple since I never rip out the pages of my Southern Living's or Mississippi magazines!

 

Regardless, this is a great dip that works well with pita chips and vegetables.

I was concerned that I made too much last night and that we'd never finish it up, but we ended up eating most of it at supper.

 

I prefer it with cut vegetables (carrots, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower were what we had), but David and the boys liked it just like they like their hummus - with pita chips.  I have to admit - it was good with pita chips too.

 

And who am I kidding, Brennan doesn't eat peppers. 

But David, Thomas, and I really liked this recipe.

 

And it couldn't be easier.  Or healthier.  Score.

 

Simply drain a jar of roasted red peppers, and puree in a food processor or blender with cumin, Balsamic vinegar, and walnuts.

 

I think it would be great on a baked potato too.

 

Double click to print as a 5x7 recipe card.

 



 

Enjoy!

 

Hummingbird (Cup)Cakes

Hummingbird (Cup)Cakes

 

My friend Sarah shared her Hummingbird Cake recipe with me so I decided to try it for Easter.

Instead of a cake, though, I made cupcakes.

 

They were delicious and really moist.

 

Along with a gorgeous carrot cake and a cheese cake, we had great Easter desserts.

 

Mix together oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.  Then add in baking soda, cinnamon, flour and salt.

 

Finally, stir in diced bananas, crushed pineapple with its juice, coconut, and chopped pecans.

 

 

Combine well.  This recipe makes either 3 cake layers or 36 cupcakes.

The layers should cook for 25 minutes at 350*.  I cooked the cupcakes for about 18 minutes.

We made cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese and butter together, then adding powdered sugar and vanilla.

 

Brennan frosted the cupcakes for me which was a big help.

 

So yummy!

Double click to print as a 5x7 recipe card.



Enjoy!