Charro Beans

I love Charro Beans. This requires a little advance planning because the beans need to soak for several hours, preferably overnight. You can cheat and microwave the beans for an hour, but make sure that you keep the beans covered in water. This recipe makes a big pot and will serve 8 to 10 people.
I could never get a recipe quite right until my niece, Jennifer, told me she puts beer in her recipe.

Lentils and Rice

This is a great dish to serve when you want something tasty and different.  No one will notice that it is vegetarian because it is hearty, as well as delicious.  This recipe combines two main staples in vegetarian

Easy Baked Beans

These are very easy to make but it does take about 45 minutes to an hour to bake the beans, once you have combined.  I used a can of small baby lima beans, which are very inexpensive, but cans of pork and beans will work, as well.  I am not a fan of canned pork and beans and prefer the texture of the baby lima beans.
This recipe makes 4 servings so multiply the amounts of ingredients as needed. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

1 can of Small Baby Lima Beans, including liquid
1/2 cup of Onion, finely chopped
1/4 pound of Bacon, cut into small bits
1/4 cup each of Barbecue Sauce, Prepared Mustard and Molasses
1 teaspoon each of Salt and Pepper

In a deep skillet, cook bacon and onion over medium-low heat, until the bacon gets crispy and the onion starts to caramelize.  Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine.  Bake uncovered in the oven 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the sauce thickens.  If you are making a larger batch of beans, it may take longer to bake, so keep that in mind when planning your meal.  Once the sauce has thickened.  Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Deloris

Printable Recipe: https://sites.google.com/site/basilandrosemarys/easy-baked-beans

Mayocoba Beans with Polenta



Mayocoba Beans with Polenta

 So I was grocery shopping recently and spotted a bag of bright, canary yellow beans.  I could not resist passing up the chance to try something so colorful and since I had never heard of these beans, I had to try a bag.  Here is the recipe.

1 2-pound bag of Mayocoba Beans
1/2 pound of Bacon, chopped
1 medium Onion, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1/4 cup of Cilantro , cleaned and chopped
1 Tablespoon of Garlic Powder
2 Tablespoons of Chili Powder
2 teaspoons of Cumin
1/2 teaspoon of Oregano
Salt to taste
Water as needed

Wash and soak the beans for at least 2 hours or overnight.  In a large pot, brown bacon and then add onion and bell pepper. Cook  until the onion starts to caramelize.  Add 2 quarts of water, cilantro,  and seasonings. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently and adding water when the pan starts to get dry.  Cook for 4 to 5 hours or until the beans are tender and do not have any resistance in the texture.

Polenta

In a tall stock pot, bring 2 3/4 cups of water to a boil.  Whisk together 1 cup of cold water, 1 cup of cornmeal and 1 teaspoon of salt.  Continue whisking and slowly pour the cornmeal mixture into the boiling water.  Whisk continually. Once the polenta starts to thicken. Add 1/4 cup of butter or margarine a little at a time, whisking constantly.  Cook and whisk for about 20 minutes until the cornmeal is thoroughly cooked.

To serve, ladle about 1/4 cup of polenta into a bowl and top with mayocoba beans. Top with fresh cilantro.

Enjoy on a cold autumn evening!

Deloris

Hummus



Hummus

 Hummus is a middle eastern spread that is wonderful.  Traditionally, it uses Tahini, is a toasted sesame paste.  I did not have any Tahini on the night that I made this so I substituted almond butter and added sesame oil.  I can assure you that it turned out as good as any Hummus that I have had in a restaurant.

2 cans of Garbanzo beans, drained (chickpeas)
the juice of 3 lemons, about 8 tablespoons
1/3 cup of Almond Butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon of Sesame Oil
4 cloves of Garlic, chopped

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Serve with pitas, pita chips, thin crackers or fresh vegetables and Enjoy!

Deloris

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