My Nanny was the greatest woman that I have ever known. She was so direct and not withholding of any of her thoughts or opinions. (I wish I were more like that.)
Even though she didn't think so, she was a great cook as well. She liked to make what she called, "peasant food." Italian dishes that don't cost a lot of money, but can fill you up and feed a lot of people. One of my favorite dishes is pasta fagioli, which is essentially pasta with beans.
This is one of those dishes that I like to make when I'm pressed for time or ideas. Let's be honest, when it's 6 o'clock and I haven't even started thinking of what to make for dinner. I keep the ingredients on hand for such cases. Pasta Fagioli (a la Nanny) Ingredients:
1 can cannolini beans (drained) 1/2 can diced cut tomatoes 1/2 lb small pasta (I like Ditalini) 1-2 cloves of garlic (chopped) 2 TBL olive oil
Add the tomatoes and cook a few minutes in pan. Then add the drained cannelini beans. Cook for a few minutes longer to allow the beans to retain the flavor of the tomatoes and garlic. Combine all ingredients in serving dish. Top with some of the remaining pasta water. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil. Buon Apetito! Alexis
So I married a Cuban. That means I'm kind of Cuban by default, right?
I try to cook like a Cuban grandmother, but there are so many great recipes that take a lot of frying and many steps. I would much rather go out and eat them!
Black beans is something that I have grown to love in my married years. It has taken some perfecting and a lot of asking, but I think I have a good solid recipe for frijoles negros.
Black Beans (Frijoles Negros)
Ingredients:
1 can of black beans (I use whatever is on sale and has a Hispanic name)
2 cloves garlic - minced
1/2 green pepper - chopped
1/2 onion - chopped
1 TBL apple cider vinegar
2 Bay leaves
1 TBL olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions: Heat olive oil in a sauce pan. Add minced garlic until soft. Add and saute chopped green peppers and onions until onions are translucent. This is called a sofrito. Once these veggies are cooked well, add the beans, vinegar, bay leaves, and salt & pepper. Simmer on low for about 20-30 minutes (about as long as it takes to cook your white rice).
What recipe do you follow for black beans? Yeah, I'm talking to you other Hispanics out there..... I'm always open to new ways and ideas!! SHARE!!
Quinoa (keen-wah) is a healthy grain that everyone is talking about. I know all of the raves that quinoa gets from the health food side of things. It's gluten free, cholesterol free, a good source of protein...yadda, yadda, yadda. I WANT to like it, but does it taste good?
I tried Anti Mom Blog's recipe of cheesy quinoa. It was delish (even though I used the wrong kind of cheese)! I wanted ways that I can try to make this grain a part of weekly meals in my house, and still change it up.
I recently had a get together with the girls, and one of my friends made this YUMMY quinoa salad. Apparently this little grain can morph into whatever you want! So, I decided to replicate it and serve it to the Hubs. He loved it!
Easy Quinoa Salad
Ingredients: 1 c quinoa 1 can black beans 1 small can of corn 1 tomato (chopped) cilantro olive oil salt
Directions: Prepare the quinoa according to the package directions (mainly boil the quinoa in water for 15 mins.). Rinse the black beans and corn in water and add to cooked quinoa. Chop the tomato and add to quinoa. Add cilantro according to your taste. Drizzle with olive oil and salt to taste. Mix & enjoy!
I'm telling you, this is so yummy! You can add any veggies you want....next time we are going to try red onions, peppers, and fresh avocado. This salad is a great side dish for, well anything, or you can eat it alone. I think it's going to be my new go-to lunch for the school year!
