Baked Beans

I made baked beans last week for a side to dinner with the mr and Barb. They ate them all. I didn’t get more then a spoonful. I was sad for me, but also was like “Shit, if I had known you guys were bean fiends, I would be making baked beans like all the time.”

And maybe not all the time, but I made them again this week. And again, they ate a lot, but I got me some this time, and I will probably make them again next week too because they will be perfect for Thanksgiving. See, homemade baked beans are a thing of beauty. Sure you can buy them in a can and be just fine, but these baked beans, well these are waaaayyyy way better. These baked beans are soft (not canned bean soft) and tomatoey and a little spicy with a tang. Not sickly sweet, (not sugar added) and not too salty.. They are just about perfect. You can eat them on their own, toss them into salads or wraps, stick on some toast, serve as as side, or just eat them cold straight from a jar from the fridge right before bed. (your loved one will thank you for that). Plus they are baked in the oven and I love me a good warm oven on a cold day. And the obvious, but all the protein and all around goodness. A great dish to serve if ever you need to feed people like me who don’t eat meat. It’s a win win win win.

Baked beans in all their glory. No cans in sight.

The stuff. White beans that were soaked overnight, strained then added back to a pot with 6 cups of water. Also have crushed tomatoes. an onion, a few cloves of garlic, chili powder, mustard powder, apple cider vinegar, and some salt and pepper.

First step is to start boiling you beans. But while that is happening, mince garlic and chop the onion into really small pieces.

Toss the onion and garlic in a pan and cook on medium low until soften and fragrant.

Cooked beans. All you need to do to cook them is place the pot with soaked beans and water on high, bring to a boil, then turn heat to a medium. Let beans cook until tender. It should take about an hour and a half.

Beans are cooked and the garlic and onion are soften so now all you do is combine everything together. Don’t drain the beans, just toss in the tomatoes, the vinegar, the spices, and a few pinches of pepper and a pinch of salt. Stir in all together,

Looks like soup right? This is right before you stick it into the oven.

Now look at that, oven baked beans. The best part… The crispy sides. ALL MINE!

Not much left to do but eat them. Straight up with a hunk of bread. That is a good way to start anyway.

Enjoy your beans!

-C

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Baked Beans

Makes a big pot of beans

• 1 pound (2 cups) white beans soaked in water for at least 8 hours (I used great northern but navy would be good too)

• 6 cups water or veggie stock

• 3 cups (or a 28 oz can) crushed tomatoes

• 1 onion

• 3 cloves garlic

• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili pepper

• 1 tablespoon mustard powder

• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

• salt and pepper

Strain soaked beans and place them into large oven safe dutch oven almond with the water and stick on the stove. Bring the beans to a boil then reduce heat to medium and cook util the beans are tender. Should take about 1 1/2 hours.

Sometime while the beans are cooking, mince garlic and chop the onion into very small pieces. Place in a skillet and cook on medium until the onion and garlic are soften and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside until beans are cooked

Preheat oven to 425

One beans are tender, dump in the cooked garlic and onion, the tomatoes, the spices, the vinegar, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Stir it all together and place into the oven. Bake for about 2 hours, staring about ever 30 minutes, until the bean sauce is nice and thick. If at any point you think they have gotten to dry, just add more water. Pull the beans out of oven once you are happy with the sauce consistency. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.

And then eat them. As a meal, as a side, or as a snack. Beans are good anytime.

Any leftovers should be stored in the fridge. Beans can be reheated very easily on the stove top. Just place the pot back on stove, stir in a little water and cook til hot.

Beans are also fantastic eaten cold from the fridge.

Caramelized Onion and Apple Cornbread

You know when you eat something that you haven’t had or haven’t had in a long time and it’s all you want to eat?

I am having a moment with apples and onions. Roasted and raw, it’s on my mind every time I am making food. Weird? I don’t know, but it’s sweet and savory and all fall like and comforting. It’s a good moment.

So now I am passing on my moment in the form of cornbread. Why cornbread? Well I think cornbread is a fine fine vessel for things that could be perceived sweet of savory. This cornbread is in fact not sweet, but not not sweet. It is a little both and suits the the apple and onion moment quite well.

People ate it, at first somewhat suspect that it was not going to be good, but after a bite or two they too appreciated the apple onion combination. And the cornbread. Even got a lady that doesn't even like cornbread to like this so that is something right?

Embrace the moments.. To the cornbread!

The stuff. A couple apples, an onion, cornmeal, flour, salt, and baking soda. Also soy milk, oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, pepper, Sansa little earth balance.

Start by thinly slicing the onions. Toss them into a oven safe skillet with about a tablespoon of earth balance and place on a medium heat.

Once the onions are cooking, thinly slice the apples too.

Toss the apples in with the onions and stir around wait a few minutes and stir around some more until the stuff all looks like…

This. The apples ans onions are super tender sans soft and amazing and do not eat them all, but maybe have bite or two.

Scoop the mixture out of the skillet ans melt another tablespoon of earth balance into the skillet, trying to evenly coat the bottom.

Now to the cornbread. Mix together all of the dry ingredients.

Then add in all the wet and gently mix until completely incorporated.

Pour the batter into the greased skillet

Top with the apple union mixture then pop into the oven for about 40-45 minutes to bake.

Golden crisp and amazing smelling. Check for donees with a tester stuck in the middle and when its done, its done.

Now the hard part. Let it cool. You can go right at it, but it will crumble and fall apart. This bread really needs a little time to chill.

Then it’s time. Eat what you need. Careful, it might be all of it.

-C

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Caramelized Onion and Apple Cornbread

makes a 10 inch round skillet of bread

• 1 1/2 cups cornmeal

• 1 cup all purpose flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 2/3 cups soy or other plant based milk

• 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1/3 cup maple syrup

• 1/3 cup neutral oil like canola

• 1 large onion

• 2 apples (macon or mac)

• 2 tablespoon earth balance or vegan butter

• Pepper

Note. This bread is baked in a cast iron skillet. If you don’t have one, you can use a 10 inch cake pan or a 9x9 square pan.

Preheat oven to 400

Start by cutting the onion in half length wise then slice the halves into very thing pieces. Grab a 8-10 inch oven safe skillet and place on medium heat with about a tablespoon of butter. Add in the onions, stir around, and let cook. Grab the apples, remove the cores and slice into thin pieces. Add the apples to the onions and stir. Keep cooking and stirring until the apples and onions are very tender and starting to brown. Place the mixture into a bowl then coat the bottom and sides of the skillet again with another tablespoon of butter. Set skillet aside for a minute.

For the cornbread, mix together the flour, cornmeal, salt, and baking soda in large bowl. Add in the soy milk, maple, oil, and vinegar and gently mix until completely incorporated and there are no big lumps. Pour batter into the greased skillet. Evenly top with the apple onion mixture, sprinkle with a little pepper, then pop the skillet into the preheated oven. Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until it’s a nice dark golden brown and a taster stuck in the middle comes out clean. Once cooked, remove from oven and let cool for at least a half hour. The cornbread needs the time to cool or else it will cut really crumbly.

Once cooled, eat. Left overs can be stored in airtight box at room temperature for a day, but any longer it should go into the fridge.

Sunday Happy

Hey there friends. I hope you are all enjoying yourself a fantastic long weekend full of food, family, friends, or whatever you do that makes you happy. I know I am trying. 

We have had a busy week. It kicked off with my family Thanksgiving on Sunday. 24 people, a turkey gravy accident on my couch ( I almost flipped out but kept my cool), and a mess that took most of the next day to clean. But it was great, everyone was happy, Lillian brought me flowers,  the food (I made it all beside the turkey my mom brought over already cooked and cut up) was on point, and even though everyone forgot to bring drinks, we ended up with 4 pies and survived on a few beers and seltzer water.

After spending nearly all the next day cleaning (ok, maybe it was only a few hours) the mr and I decided we needed to get out of town so we took a drive to see the snow. All was great until the road froze and we almost skidded of the interstate. We ended up driving 5 mph for like a half hour just to get off. But that was ok, what wasn't ok was  after we got home, the mr had to run to fix a toliet. He jumped into the truck and I got a call 15 minutes later. While he was driving, the  truck died in the middle of the road. Long story short, we now have AAA and owe my brother in law a big ass thank you cake. 

We had the littles sleep over on Wednesday so that they could make birthday presents for their mother. Her (as in Erin) Birthday landed on Thanksgiving this year so instead of doing dinner and cake, we had a moring cinnamon star birthday breakfast. The littles spent the night making paintings of a squirrel and and glittery octopus (I have glitter everywhere!!) and helping me bake. After the mess was contained, we curled up to popcorn and The Mighty Ducks 3. (then there was popcorn all over with the glitter) On Thanksgiving morning/Erin's birthday, we listen to all the Christmas music, sang happy birthday, Paul ate half the star, Barb drank all the coffee, and we tried to make the baby walk for cookies. We know how to have us some good times. 

As usual went the the mr's family for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving at their house is the big family holiday so everyone (usually) comes home for it. This year everyone did and it was great for all of us to be together. I didn't bring anything for the actual meal, but  I brought over a cinnamon star for breakfast the next day, which I am glad because there was so much food already.(Qui and Joanie went all out) so I was more helpful just washing all the dishes. We ate, we laughed, they drank. I left. I love that family so much, but alas I am an old lady and get very tired early. We left before things got to crazy as I am sure that they did. All in all, another successful Thanksgiving.

Friday was spent with a social hangover and cleaning the house again (the glitter never stops). We managed a good walk on the beach to get some air and nature then it was onto the Christmas decorations!! The mr spent a good chunk of the day being  amazing and wiring an outlet outside so we can hang up the Christmas lights. which brings me to the Christmas lights... It's been rough and we (or I) still don't know what to do. It's because of the LED's. I hate them, or very much dislike them. I much prefer the incandescent lights because they are prettier to me. But we need new lights and we really should buy LED, but they are ugly, or most of them are anyway. So The mr and I have bought 5 different colors and brands of LED's and are currently trying out  sets on the house. We have some colored ones up now and  they are ok but I am not sure and might just go white but aaaahhh. I am driving the mr crazy, driving myself crazy, but I want to actually like the lights on my house. I guess I'll figure it out. 

Besides getting the dang Christmas lights up, I am not sure whats gong down today. Probably going to listen to Sufjan, Hanson, and Charlie Brown Christmas albums all on repeat. Maybe make a few loaves of bread, start my knitting projects, finish reading my book, and just enjoy not having to deal with a house full of people who spill turkey gravy on everything. 

Internet links from the past week.

-Adult Siblings Can Make Our Lives Healthier And Happier This had better be true because I spend a lot of my time with my adult siblings. (love you guys)

-What your Christmas lights will do to your electricity bill. This is part of my problem with the lights. Because I really do like the incandescent so much more.. So annoying, Why can't the led look better? 

-Sufjan Christmas has been on all week, but so has this album. So good.   First Listen: Sufjan Stevens, 'The Greatest Gift'

-Don’t Force Young Girls to Hug Their Relatives, the Girl Scouts Say Finally! It drives me crazy when parents make their kids hug people. If a kid doesn't want to hug  you, respect that. 

-Ah, Prince, so beautiful you were. Dig, If You Will, Some Never-Before-Seen Pictures Of Prince In 'A Private View'

-Idaho Dims The Lights For One Of The Best Night Skies Anywhere I think camping in Idaho just made my list of things to do. 

-Terrifying is right, I am allergic to yellow jackets . This 'Granddaddy of Hornet's Nests Is Terrifying, But Not All Bad

-Good Vegan, Bad Vegan. This was a good article. I know a few vegetarians and vegans that eat shit and  they think they are healthy because they don't eat meat and those people that think a meal isn't a meal without meat. 

-The Sweet Rewards of Bitter Food

-Quirky Cartoon Toys and Vases Carved from Wood by Yen Jui-Lin. I love these and want them for myself

Pictures from the week.

Sunday Happy

Did you get any snow? I was hopping for snow, but got none and am a little disappointed. Call me crazy, but I am just ready for a good dumping, maybe even snowed in for a day or two. Humm, probably not happening for a while, but a dusting would be nice, no?

This past week Shannon turned one year older. We had dinner and cake and Jackson wrote her a rap that made all of us cry. Then the littles came over for a dinner/orchestra rehearsal and we got the baby to walk around the kitchen again. The only time he seems to walk is for Oreo cookies... He might be on to something here. I made what seems like a shit ton of bread products to feed the people who stop by for lunch. I found pine cones and turned them into a wall hanging, had a great time catching up with Joanie, and have continued my watching of Stranger Things 2 (taking my time with this season) I was very social this week and give myself 3 stars for not running away to a hole in the ground. 

Then the basement, The mr and I spent a very long day removing buckets and buckets of heavy ass dirt from down below. We were in respirators which sucked because they suck wearing and we both have this chest congestion so it was just sucky, but we needed them with the amount of dust and dirt we were dealing with. The truck was full by the end and we now have a shoveled out, swept, and vacuumed over and over, clean and empty (we got rid of allll the stuff and tools) basement. That was one long day of shit shoveling. But it's over and never again. And it was all in preparation for the washer and dryer that was to be delivered Thursday. 

We waited a full day for he washer and dryer to be delivered and it didn't show. We were not happy put the mr dealt with it. We waited another 1/2 day for the washer and dryer and it still didn't show. And oh boy were we about to flip but the mr dealt with it and yesterday, right at 8ish in the morning, we finally got our washer and dryer!!!!!!!!!! And it is as amazing as I had remembered. Big metal tubs that will do all my washing and drying needs, right here in my house. I am so excited.  The mr spent the day running water and power and hooking it all up and ever since then, laundry on loop. Clean cloths whenever I want. I guess I have no excuses now.  

The family is all coming over in just a few short hours for the annual Sunday before Thanksgiving, Family Thanksgiving I think we are up to 25 people.. Some are little so they take up less space, but it's those half sized people that tend to make the biggest mess.  The house is going to be full by afternoon and I am not going to lie, I am a little stressed out. I think it's because of the turkey. This is  a meat free house but Mom is bring a cooked turkey (no way in hell is a turkey being cooked in my oven) and I just have this anxiety that there is going to be meat everywhere, I know I am over reacting but I can't help my feelings. But other then that it will be great. I am doing all the veggie sides, making some bread and maybe some cookies? I don't know. My mom bought like 4 pies and I might just skip the cookies because we probably  don't need them. So yeah, a full house of all the crazy people and a few extra to bare witness. I got the coloring supplies, grabbing the board games, and trying to set up a long as table to seat everyone at all at once. I hope people don't mind sitting on mud buckets.  Wish me luck.

Internet findings from the week

-A Wrinkle in Time. Another one of my favorite books turned movie, but this one, I am so excited about. . Mindy and Oprah...It has got to be great.

-Instagram Crowds May Be Ruining Nature Be more aware people!

-Life goal (or next year goal) Find land and build and A frame cabin. How to Build an A-Frame. Should be simple right? 

Sign me up, although I don't make a lot os scrapes, I tend to eat it all. This Kickstarter Converts Kitchen Scraps Into Cooking Fuel

-11 Stress Experts on Surviving the Constant Anxiety That Is 2017. Hoping the 2018 isn't quite so nuts.

-The Bra Ladies of New York. Looking for that "Goldylocks" of bras would drive me crazy. 

-Potty humor, but seriously, don't drop butt in toilet. . Toilet Signs Are Mysterious And Mirth-Inducing

-I think the week of Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start decorating. Science Makes the Case For Putting Up Holiday Decorations Early

-Where Does That Rumbling in Your Tummy Really Come From?. I just thought it was my stomach yelling at me to eat (or nat eat) 

-A great way to use up some trash. Giant Exhibition of Animal Assemblages Built with Trash

Pictures from the week. 

Maple Mustard Roasted Cabbage with Almonds

There is something about purple cabbage that makes me feel like I need to share it. It sounds weird , especially because I eat about a head of cabbage a day, but that is green cabbage. I barely buy purple cabbage because it cost twice as much and I really like green , but at farm share when you get to pick what color you want, I alway pick the purple. ( Side note. I used to call it red cabbage but have since stopped because it is very clearly purple and calling red just doesn't make any sense) 

I also feel the need to do something a little more the chopping it up and eating it raw. So I make a little fancy. pretty, almond crunchy mustard type thing because that's what I was feeling and I figure the mr would like it too. Note that I ended up using half a green and half  the purple because color is nice and also I ended up eating the other half of the purple before I could share it. But I caught myself before eating it all to may face and was proud of myself for thinking of others.  

This dish is good, really really good. . It has roasted cabbage which is alway great, but slathered with maple mustard and crunchy almonds.. it's just freaking fantastic in all the ways. It also happens to be super easy to prepare and with minimal ingredients. It makes for a great side dish, a main dish, and is great for sharing during the holidays that are just around the corner. Or if you are like me, not sharing and eating all afternoon long. (I did save some for the m for dinner because I am so nice) 

The stuff. Cabbage, red or green or a bit of both, stone ground mustard, maple syrup, almonds and pepper.

Easy peasy. Cut the cabbages about an 3/4 inch thick and lay them on a baking sheet. Pop it into the oven once it's preheated.

While thats going on, mix some maple with the mustard and chop up the almonds.

After about 25 minutes, pull the cabbage out and flip them. Cover the top with maple mustard and sprinkle on the almonds. Stick the cabbage back into the oven and bake another 10-15 minutes, or until it's roasted to your taste preference (I like it really roasted) 

Just look how pretty it is. 

Serves from a baking sheet but would look so lovely on a nice plater, you know, if you want to be extra classy. 

This cabbage situation is all of it. 

Have a great weekend and hope the Thanksgiving planning goes smoothly. 

-C

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Maple Mustard Roasted Cabbage with Almonds 

Makes about 6-8 slabs

• 1 head of cabbage (red or green or half of both)
• 1/4 cup stone ground mustard
• 2 tablespoon maple syrup 
• 1/3 cup raw almonds 
• pepper to taste. 

Preheat oven to 425

Slice cabbage into thick slabs about 3/4 inch thick. Try to get them roughly the same thickness so they roast evenly.  Lay the cabbage on a baking sheet, not overlapping, and stick into the oven once it's preheated. Bake for 25 minutes or until the bottoms of the cabbage are crispy.

While cabbage is roasting, mix mustard and maple  together and roughly chop the almonds.  

After  the 25 minutes, grab the cabbage from the oven and flip each piece. Cover the tops with the maple mustard and sprinkle on chopped almonds. Place back into the oven for another 10-15 minutes  and roast until the cabbage is as crispy as you like it.

Remove from oven, sprinkle with good pepper, and serve. Extra maple muastd is welcomed to some. Any left over (but there won't be any) is great eaten cold before bed  or tossed onto a salad for lunch the next day.