Spanish Black Bean Stew
Potaje de Alubias Negras is for dinner tonight. This is a Spanish Black Bean Stew. It’s a wonderful one-pot meal for a cold, snowy Colonial Beach evening. 2 tbsp extra virgin olive1 medium onion5 cloves garlic1 green bell pepper2 carrots, peeled, sliced thin1 tbsp red wine vinegar1 tsp sweet smoked paprika1/2 tsp ground cumin2 tomatoes (grated) or a can of fire roasted diced.2 medium potatoes, I used 4 small yellow2-3 cups chicken bone broth, as needed3 cans black beans, low sodium1 bay leafsea salt & black pepperfresh parsley for garnish For protein, I half chopped a section of turkey kielbasa and fine chopped the other portion. I do this with most meals that have any kind of sausage. I want good bites, but I also want it to become part of the...
Breakfast Sandwich Machine
With a thick layer of snow outside, I decided to have a lazy morning and make a fun breakfast that I could write up. So I broke out my trusted sandwich making machine and dove in. This is a Hamilton Beach. While this machine works perfectly with English muffins, I usually just cut a slice of sourdough to fit. Just make is slightly larger, and the spongy but firm bread fits in easily. Break an egg into a bowl. Season as you like. I used black pepper and Flatiron 4-pepper mix. Break the yoke. Use butter or olive oil to grease all surfaces. Plug in the machine and wait for the preheat light to come on. 1. Put in a bread slice in the lowest ring. 2. Add some meat. I used two thin slices of Black Forest ham. 3. Add some cheese. I used a slice of provolone. 4. Lower...
Northern Neck Muffuletta
In honor of the upcoming Mardi Graz, I wanted to make one of my favorite sandwiches, the Muffuletta. I’m actually going to call this a Northern Neck Muffuletta, as these are the ingredients I could cobble together from Food Lion. First off, yes, I know what a REAL muffuletta is. But I’m pleased with these results. And actually, I have fond memories of getting a toasty warm muffuletta from a local Italian bakery in Port Canaveral and enjoying it in the cockpit of the Cool Change. And THEY served it on a crusty Italian loaf. The classic would be a muffuletta loaf, cut in half with the below ingredients (more or less, I used bologna because mortadella won’t be found at the Food Lion). This would result in a massive sandwich that would be quartered...
Turkish Eggs
One of my favorite breakfast, Turkish Eggs. Simply fry your eggs sunny-side up, season with turmeric, smoked paprika and black pepper. Cover and lower heat. Garish with a hint of shaved Gruyere and parsley. Served with air-fried hickory smoked bacon and blood orange kombucha. Happy...
Egg Cups with a Mornay Sauce
As we head to the end of my week-long breakfast series, I give you Egg Cups with a Mornay Sauce. These are perfect for a Friday morning, as you’ll be set for breakfasts through the weekend. Prep your filling while your oven pre-heats to 375°. My fillings were diced ham, green onions, orange bell pepper, mushrooms and black beans seasoned with garlic and cumin (leftovers from Taco Tuesday). Also a little shredded cheese. Mix 8 eggs, a splash of milk, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder and cayenne. In a greased muffin tin, add your fillings and pour the egg mix on top. Put a rimmed cookie sheet in the oven and add a cup or two of water. Put in the muffin tin and cook for about 30 minutes. The water bath makes the cup sides nice and soft,m not shriveled and...
Crab Cake Sandwiches
CRAB CAKES for Thursday night’s dinner! I have made this meal many, many times, and it is still a favorite. I will admit to being lazy and just buying a container of crab claw meat. Dice up a yellow/red bell pepper and half a sweet onion. Mix with the crab, an egg, about 1/4 cup of panco bread crumbs and a couple tablespoons of flour (I used almond flour). Add about 1/4 cup of Duke’s mayo, a TBS of Old Bay seasoning and grind in a healthy amount of fresh black pepper. Mix well. This could make 5 patties, but I made 3 huge ones. Pan sear in olive oil on both sides for about 5 minutes each side in a cast iron skillet. I cover it to cook the veggies through. You want a nice, blackened crispy exterior. The sauce is just mayo mixed with hot sauce, some...