This has been a recipe I have been curious about since the first time I heard about it. At first when I heard the name Black Bean Brownies, I thought to myself ‘ew’ and then ‘why’? I mean why mess with something as perfect as a brownie? But then a funny thing happened, the recipe got really popular and more and more people started trying it and singing its praises. So I then curiousity was heightened and knew I had to try it.
There is something deeply satisfying about making your own bread. However, every time I have tried to make it in the past, it was this huge labor intensive ordeal. That is, until I discovered Jim Lahey’s no –knead method. Lahey calls his method revolutionary, and I think I have to agree. Since discovering Jim Lahey’s book, I have made almost ever recipe in the book-so beware it is addictive.
The great thing about this and all his recipes are that they involve very little work, maybe five minutes total. It does; however, require a bit of planning as the total time for most of his recipes start to finish is about 20 hours. So it’s not really a recipe you can decide to make at 3pm for dinner at 5pm. In any instance, if you have any interest in bread making, I urge you to try this recipe and pick up his book.
I have been inspired by strawberry season and my local strawberry festival and so in its honor, I have decided to make some strawberry cupcakes. Please notice my pretty cupcake liners and holders! I’ve been dying to make some cupcakes so I can use them.
Strawberries always signal summer to me. They remind me of sitting under the warm sun on a hot day cooling off with some fresh strawberries. Unfortunately, right now cool fresh strawberries give me goose bumps. For some reason, the warm weather has decided to abandon Florida and its place give us close to freezing temperatures. I know all you northerners will roll your eyes and say you would be in a bikini rolling on the beach right now if you had our weather but trust me it really is cold! I have friends from Canada visiting next week who think they are going to be going to the beach everyday and return home with a tan….I’m scared to call to tell them they should be packing more sweaters and socks and less bikinis and shorts. Anyways, I digress…back to strawberries and cupcakes.
Fast, quick, and healthy is my motto for everyday meals. One of my favorite meals to make is a quinoa black bean and tomato salad. Now you know there are some stuff that’s healthy but doesn’t really taste that good. Then, there’s stuff that’s fast but you know it doesn’t exactly qualify as a meal. Then there’s stuff that’s fast and healthy that you make but would never dare to serve someone else out of pure embarrassment. Now, I’m here to tell you that this salad is healthy and fast and you don’t have to be embarrassed to serve it. In fact, I would totally encourage you to take this for a picnic, luncheon or serve as a side salad.
Quinoa is native to South America more specifically Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. It is not a true grain, but rather the seed of a plant related to the spinach, beet, and tumbleweed. However, for the most part in cooking it is treated as a grain.
It is a nutritional powerhouse because it is a complete protein meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids. It is also a high source of lysine, magnesium and copper.
Espresso Pot de Creme
My favorite desserts are custard based which are dishes composed of a mixture of egg, milk, and cream. Pot de crèmes are custard based and are essentially the French version of the American pudding with the direct translation being pot of cream. Pot de Crème sounds so much fancier though doesn’t it?
Along with most desserts I like to make, pot de crèmes are very fast and easy and they make a big impression. I know I have also said this many times, but I like individual desserts-cupcakes, individual sized cakes, and anything in a ramekin. I love ramekins; I have about 100 of them. Don’t ask why, it’s become a sick obsession. In my own defense, I do entertain a lot….but probably not enough to justify that many ramekins.
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