De Ma Cuisine

Beans Archive

Tuesday

17

September 2019

2

COMMENTS

Red and Green Enchiladas

Written by , Posted in Baking, Beans, Cheese, Dinner, Main Dishes, Meat, Poultry, Vegetables

Today didn’t go as I’d planned. I had some work that I was supposed to do. It didn’t happen. Not by choice. But then, I got to choose to not be frustrated. Do you hate the expression “It is what it is”? I know some people do. But, sometimes, it’s really the only thing that works. I could be mad that things didn’t go as I’d planned. I’d organized my week accordingly. Instead, I got to have a low key day. I watered the garden and gave the dog a long drink from the hose without hurry. I listened to the sound of food cooking in the skillet. I had a glass of wine at 4pm while I washed the dishes. It was a good day.

I had intended to make these enchiladas for dinner tomorrow. But, they looked too good to wait. I have our meals planned for the rest of the month. For tomorrow, now I have no idea. It might be tater tots dipped in chipotle mayo. Or sushi from the grocery store (our chef is amazing). Maybe cereal. I’ll worry about that tomorrow. For now, I’m here, and this is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing.

I always want to hurry into the future, only to get there and want to move on to the next thing. Ever since I was a kid… I don’t know that I’ve enjoyed as much of the present as I could have. Until this summer. For the first time, maybe ever, I’ve been here, in the now.

I don’t like summer. I hate hate hate being hot. Sweaty is for workouts, but not for regular living. Humidity could leave forever and I’d be glad. I’m sure it’s great for my skin. Whatev. I don’t like that so many tourists come to here. I mean, I get it, it’s important for the economy blah blah blah… Many of them are quite lovely yada yada yada. But, it’s busy, it’s loud, it’s claustrophobic. I like quiet and cold. I like the hibernating times more than the big, busy, social events. I like a small, but meaningful life… And, I don’t like summer.

Everyone likes summer. Especially around here. But, every once in a while I’ll come across a kindred spirit who can’t wait for the chill of autumn.

This year, I’ve embraced it. Summer and I became friends-ish. It could be that it’s easier now that we live somewhere with seasons. I know it’s not going to be hot forever. So I can enjoy it while it lasts. There’s something to be said for weekends spent in the garden, glass of rosé in hand, nose in a book. For watering the garden, and then pointing the hose heavenward and gasping as the freezing water hits my skin. I found joy in summer this year. I’m glad it’s feeling more like fall, but summer was more than ok.

When we lived in Burbank, I missed things like soup in the summer. Because summer lasted for like ten months. This year, I didn’t think about it at all. I was too busy eating green beans in the garden. This summer we discovered pizza on the grill. We don’t want to turn the oven on, but who can go three months without pizza?! Solved that one. But, then I made an amazing potato chowder the other day. And I was ruined. Summer can be over. I’ve made soup again.

Today, I wanted enchiladas. I had a jar of salsa verde in the pantry that needed to not be in there anymore and a frozen plomp of ground turkey taking up the bacon’s space in the freezer. Seemed like it was time. The oven, alas, was ready to turn back on.

Enchiladas start with humble ingredients: onion, bell pepper that has seen better days, white beans, and salsa verde from Arcadia’s Kitchen.

The salsa is delicious. And sooooo spicy. I used only two tablespoons in the filling and I could feel the heat. I was originally going to make just salsa verde enchiladas. But, I wasn’t sure if our faces would burn off if I added enough to make a sauce. So I added some tomato sauce to balance it out. It was perfect. Spicy, but not too.

We’ve discovered a company called TortillaLand that makes fresh tortillas. They contain five ingredients and are ready to cook. We haven’t bought regular tortillas since we found these.

Enchilada assembly isn’t difficult. Scoop some filling on a tortilla. Fold in the ends and then roll it up. Or don’t fold in the ends and just roll it. I did a pan of each. I poured some of the tomato-salsa verde mixture into the bottom of the pan, added the rolled enchiladas, then poured the rest of the sauce overtop.

Once I topped everything with cheese, they went into the oven. It’s just the cheese that needs to melt and the sauce that needs to bubble. The filling is already hot, so twenty minutes was perfect.

I had two problems with this dinner. I finished cooking at like 3:30pm, because I wanted to photograph with the natural light. So I took a bite, cooled them down, then reheated them for later dinner. Second problem, I’d eaten all the sour cream a few days ago. I’d def add some to this. It would help with the heat from the salsa verde, and it just tastes good. Tim thinks I use a weird amount of sour cream on tacos and enchiladas. But, I like it. So I use what I use, and sometimes then I don’t have enough for my spontaneous blog post. But, it is what it is. Right?

Happy Eating!

Red and Green Enchiladas

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 2 T oil
  • 1 pound ground meat (I used turkey)
  • salt
  • 2 1/2 C bell peppers (about 2), chopped
  • 1 C onion, chopped
  • 1-15 oz. can white beans
  • 2 T salsa verde
  • 8 fresh tortillas
  • 1/4 C salsa verde
  • 1 C tomato sauce
  • 1/2 t cumin
  • 1/2 t salt
  • stock or water
  • 1-2 C grated colby jack cheese
  • toppings: avocado and sour cream

Directions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the oil. Add the meat and cook until it’s cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Add the salt, bell pepper, and onion. Cook until the veggies are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add the beans and 2 tablespoons of salsa verde. Cook until the beans are hot, about 2-3 minutes more.
  2. While the filling is cooking, cook the tortillas in a separate skillet, keeping them warm once they’re done in a clean tea towel. In a 2 cup measuring cup, stir together 1/4 cup salsa verde, 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Then fill with stock or water up to the 2 cup line.
  3. Taste the filling and add more salt if needed. Pour a few scoops of the salsa verde-tomato mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 (or around that size) pan. Divide the filling between 8 tortillas. Roll them up and place them into the pan. Top with the remaining filling and sprinkle with cheese.* Bake until sauce is hot and cheese is bubbly and browned, about 20 minutes. Let them cool and set for a few minutes, then serve topped with avocado and sour cream.
  4. *(The enchiladas can be cooled, covered, and frozen at this point. I prefer to use a metal pan if freezing. It can go right into the oven from the freezer – take plastic wrap off and cover the pan with tinfoil. From frozen will obviously take longer to bake than the original. Give it an hour-ish and check it on your instant read thermometer to make sure it’s come to a safe temp. If not, bake it some more.)

Friday

19

February 2016

0

COMMENTS

Savory Crêpes

Written by , Posted in Beans, Breakfast, Brunch, Cheese, Dinner, Eggs, Fruit, Herbs, Leftovers, Legumes, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Nuts, Poultry, Quick and Easy, Vegetables, Vegetarian

SavoryCrepes-3

Right now my thoughts are flipping between crêpes and the onion rings I ate right before I made the crêpes. Of both, I couldn’t wait to eat more. But, let’s talk about the crêpes today (those onion rings can wait until next week). When I was a kid, mom made crêpes every once in a while. If she made them for supper, we usually had to eat a savory crêpe or two before we were allowed to eat one covered with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or honey. I may have turned my nose up at it then, but now I see the merit in the savory crêpe.

Crêpes are what I’d imagine would result if a tortilla and a pancake had a baby. A delicious baby… This is getting weird… They’re light, soft, and a bit crispy around the edges. They’re great with butter and maple syrup, of course, but also the perfect vessel for some savory goodies.

SavoryCrepes-1

I like the idea of a multifaceted filling. It starts with a purée. I had some pumpkin in the freezer that I reheated and seasoned with salt and cayenne. Simple. You could also try cauliflower, sweet potato, or beets.

I topped the purée with some sautéed broccoli rabe, peas, and radishes. You might substitute with roasted or raw garlic, broccoli, any greens that you have on hand, apples, cabbage, summer or winter squash, carrots, or even white beans. If you have some fresh herbs on hand, things like basil, thyme, rosemary, or mint would be great. Just use whatever herbs would go well with the veggies that you’re using.

If you wanted to add a little more protein, throw in some leftover shredded chicken or chopped up crispy tofu.

And then, to top it all, I like a spoonful of plain or Greek yogurt, some walnuts, parmesan, and a squeeze of lemon. You might substitute with silken tofu or coconut milk, browned butter or cream, ricotta or cream cheese.

SavoryCrepes-2

If you’ve got any left, they will make the perfect dessert (Nutella crêpes anyone?!), or can be reheated the next day for a quick and easy breakfast. You could do simple, just maple syrup, or maybe top them with some ricotta, cottage cheese, or silken tofu, and some chopped apples sprinkled with cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon. Two meals, one dish.

Happy Eating!

Savory Crêpes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 2 crêpes

Savory Crêpes

Ingredients

  • 1 C purée (any: winter squash, cauliflower, sweet potato, beet)
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1 C any mix ins: broccoli rabe, peas, roasted or raw garlic, kale, radishes, apples, cabbage, white beans, summer squash, carrots; chopped if warranted
  • 1 C any proteins (optional): cooked chicken, crispy tofu
  • 1 t to 1 T any: thyme, rosemary, basil, mint; chopped
  • to taste salt
  • 8 crêpes
  • 1 C any toppings: ricotta, cream cheese, yogurt, silken tofu, parmesan cheese, browned butter, cream, coconut milk, walnuts, almonds, lemon zest; chopped if warranted
  • lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. (Prepare crêpe batter if it needs to sit for an hour in the fridge.)
  2. Make your purée (roast or steam veggies, blend, season with salt and, if desired, cayenne).
  3. Heat skillet, add olive oil. Sauté mix ins until tender (about 10 minutes, depending on the veggies) over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add things like greens and garlic near the end. Re-heat protein, if using. Add to mix ins. Add herbs. Taste for seasoning.
  4. While mix ins are cooking, prepare your crêpes (keep them warm in a 200F oven on a baking sheet).
  5. To assemble, spoon some purée down the center of the crêpes. Top with mix ins. Roll up (the easiest way to do this is to hook a fork inside the edge of the crêpe and roll it in on itself). Serve with a squeeze of lemon.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/savory-crepes/

Friday

12

February 2016

1

COMMENTS

Chunky Vegetable Soup

Written by , Posted in Beans, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Lunch, Main Dishes, Potatoes, Soups, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

ChunkySoup-2

When in doubt, soup! I almost always want to eat soup. In hot weather and cold weather, on weeknights or at dinner parties… give me soup and I’ll be happy with my meal.

ChunkySoup-1

Soup is a great way to use up whatever you’ve got hanging around in the crisper drawers of the fridge too. Sometimes there are forgotten turnips and beets in there that are given a new chance at life in soup. Way yummier than tossing them in the compost or using them for stock.

This week I had things like leeks, spinach, sweet potatoes, peas, and rutabagas on hand. But, you could add or substitute with onions, shallots, kohlrabi, carrots, turnips, radishes, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, or winter squash.

So many options!

I wanted to add a little more protein and even more texture to this soup, so I also added beans. I was in the mood for kidney, but black, white, or cannellini would also be fab. And when we get into spring, fava beans would be amazing! I love beans in soup.

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This soup makes for a great lunch or dinner. It’s wonderful with homemade croissants, apple-cheese toasts, or just on its own with a squeeze of lemon and a good book.

Happy Eating!

Chunky Vegetable Soup

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 52 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 7 minutes

Yield: 8

Chunky Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 T olive oil
  • 2 C leek/onion/shallot, chopped
  • 5 C any: kohlrabi, carrot, rutabaga, turnip, winter squash, brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, potatoes, radish; peeled, if warranted, chopped
  • to taste salt
  • dash cayenne (or may use 1/2 to 1 small hot pepper, ribs and seeds removed, minced)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 T rice vinegar
  • 7 C veggie stock
  • 1 t fresh thyme (or 1/4 t dried)
  • 1/2 t dried rosemary (or 1/2 T fresh)
  • 2 T fresh basil (or 2 t dried)
  • to taste pepper
  • 2 C greens (kale, spinach, chard, mustard greens, mizuna, bok choy... anything that you have on hand will work), chopped
  • 1 1/2 C beans (black, kidney, white, cannellini)
  • 1 C peas (frozen, or shelled fresh peas or fava beans)
  • lemon wedges, for serving
  • good olive oil, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat a soup pot over medium-low. Add olive oil. Add leek-cayenne (if you're using dried herbs you may add them now too). Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes, or until the veggies are getting tender. Add garlic and vinegar and cook for 1 minute more. Add the stock through pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. Add the greens, beans, and peas and cook for 3 minutes more. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
  2. Ladle into bowls and serve with a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/chunky-vegetable-soup/

Friday

22

January 2016

0

COMMENTS

Hearty Kale and White Bean Quesadillas

Written by , Posted in Beans, Breakfast, Cheese, Dinner, Gluten Free, Herbs, Legumes, Lunch, Main Dishes, Quick and Easy, Sandwiches, Sides, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

KaleBeanQuesadillas-5

When I plan our menu I try to include a good variety of foods, so we don’t get bored. Sometimes they’re a little more complex, have multiple steps, and more ingredients. Other times they’re simple, basic, super easy. Scrambled eggs and toast makes a great dinner. So do quesadillas.

Quesadillas are probably our go-to, in a pinch, anyone can make it meal. If I’ve planned ahead, I will try to add some beans so it’s not just tortillas and cheese. If I’ve really planned ahead, we may even have homemade tortillas. But, sometimes, just the basics will do. We just need to eat something, and we need to eat that something right now.

KaleBeanQuesadillas-1

This recipe is a happy medium. I had time to prep and plan, so there are both veggies and beans. I also made a lot and froze the leftovers, so next time we want quesadillas, the filling can be pulled out and reheated. These are pretty versatile. I just took what I had on hand that I thought would go with beans and cheese, finely chopped it, and threw it into a pan.

KaleBeanQuesadillas-2

While the veggies and beans cooked, I whisked together a quick dip. But, if there’s no time for dip, or you’re out of yogurt or silken tofu, salsa will be just fine.

KaleBeanQuesadillas-3

I added pepper jack this time. It’s a great melting cheese and I love the spice that it adds. If you don’t do dairy, I’ve heard that nutritional yeast is great.

KaleBeanQuesadillas-4

I like my quesadillas super crispy outside and gooey inside. Tim prefers his a little less crispy. I used flour tortillas this time, but corn would be fabulous too. I had been working on another recipe on the same day and I wasn’t hungry when these were done. So I cooled them and saved them for dinner. When I reheated them they had an awesome crisp to them that I totally wasn’t expecting. Almost like the cooling and reheating had done something awesome to the layers in the tortilla. I’m totally down for cold leftovers (mostly because I’m too lazy to heat them up). This time I’m glad I took the time.

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I’m sure we will be enjoying these again soon. I’ve almost always got quesadillas on the menu and ingredients for them in the fridge.

Happy Eating!

Hearty Kale and White Bean Quesadillas

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 4

Hearty Kale and White Bean Quesadillas

Ingredients

  • 1 T olive oil
  • 2 C (combination of any) broccoli, cabbage, shallots, bell pepper, cauliflower, chile pepper, radish (any type), summer squash, leek, onion; finely chopped
  • to taste salt
  • 1 clove garlic, diced
  • 2 C any type of greens (kale, chard, spinach, mustard greens, mizuna, etc..), ribs removed, chopped
  • 2 C white beans, drained if canned
  • 2 t lime or lemon juice
  • 1 C yogurt or silken tofu
  • sprinkle cayenne
  • 1/2 t chili powder
  • 1/2 t paprika
  • splash maple syrup (optional)
  • 1 T chives (optional), chopped
  • 1-2 t lime or lemon juice
  • to taste salt
  • 8 tortillas (any type)
  • 1 C cheese (pepper jack, cheddar, or feta), grated or crumbled (could also use a sprinkle of nutritional yeast)

Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet. Add oil. Add the 2 C of veggies and salt and cook for 5 minutes, or until tender, over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, greens, beans, and lime juice. Cook for 5 minutes more. Taste for seasoning.
  2. While the veggies cook, whisk together dip: yogurt/silken tofu through salt. Taste for seasoning and set aside.
  3. Top a tortilla with 1/4 of the bean and veggie mixture. Top with cheese (or nutritional yeast) and then another tortilla. Repeat with remaining tortillas and bean mixture.
  4. Heat a clean skillet. Cook each quesadilla, flipping once, until to desired crispness and cheese is melted (I like about 2-3 minutes/side). Slice into wedges and serve with dip.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/kale-white-bean-quesadillas/

Thursday

19

November 2015

1

COMMENTS

Egg Salad

Written by , Posted in Beans, Bread, Dairy-Free, Eggs, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Legumes, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Nuts, Pork, Quick and Easy, Sandwiches, Vegetables, Vegetarian

EggSalad-5

Eggs are a staple in our home. I feel a little lost when we’ve run out and I forget to order more. We eat them fried in olive oil, so the edges are crispy. I whisk them into a soft mayo. I crack them into simmering soup to poach. I use them to make shiny pie crusts and pain au chocolat. They are versatile, delicious, and go with so many things.

I often forget about egg salad. It’s quick and easy, but sometimes the thought of bringing some water to a boil to cook eggs seems like too much. Although it’s not really that much more difficult than opening the jars of peanut butter and jam to be slathered on some toasted homemade bread (because then I have to wash the peanut butter knife)… Great. Now I’m hungry for peanut butter…

EggSalad-1

Hardboiled eggs pretty much just require a bit of time, a gentle hand, and some water that’s come to a rolling boil. The time is mostly hands off. It’s best to carefully lower the eggs into the water so the shells don’t crack (but even then, sometimes they do – I add a splash of white vinegar to the water to help the whites not go to far if this happens). And, the water has to come to a boil even if you watch it… I mean, it’s science, the temperature will eventually climb. (For detailed instructions on how to boil an egg have a look at the Deviled Eggs post.)

EggSalad-2

For an egg salad base, I like to use equal parts yogurt and mayo (you could substitute silken tofu for either if desired), and a little bit of salt. It’s pretty simple, really yummy, and could be eaten as is. But, for fun, there are tons of things you could mix in. Today I used mushrooms, garlic, basil, cannellini beans, cayenne, and dijon mustard. It was delicious. I’d do it again. But, here are some other mix in options that I’d like to try:

  • capers+shallots+dill+eggplant+dijon
  • kale+basil+red onion+parsley+cayenne
  • tarragon+parsley+dill+spinach
  • mushrooms+dried tomatoes+chiles+garlic+chives+parsley
  • cannellini beans+roasted bell peppers+chives+garlic+ bacon+cucumber+dijon
  • celery+chives+parsley

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Whatever the mix ins, they’re added to the base. It’s mixed up and tasted for salt (and because I’m starving and can’t wait to eat).

EggSalad-4

Depending on the type of bread and how hungry you are, you might opt for the messier open-faced sandwich. I did and hand to dunk my hand in my water glass so I wouldn’t get food all over the keyboard. Worth it.

I had two open-faced sandwiches, both on some homemade sourdough bread, one toasted, one not. I liked them both, but toasted definitely won. I chose simple toppings: lettuce and chopped cherry tomatoes. You might also add some chopped nuts for added crunch. I didn’t. (Because I forgot.)

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The mushrooms add a meatiness, the beans add even more protein and texture, the tomatoes add a sweet hint of the last days of summer. If I’d been able to find bacon when I was grocery shopping, I’d have added some too. But, I didn’t, so, alas, that will have to wait for another day.

Happy Eating!

Egg Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 2-3

Egg Salad

Ingredients

  • 4-6 hardboiled eggs
  • 2 T mayonnaise (or silken tofu)
  • 2 T plain yogurt (or silken tofu)
  • to taste salt
  • original mix ins: 1 t olive oil
  • 7 mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 T fresh basil (or combo of basil and chives), chopped
  • 1/4 C cannellini (or any white) beans
  • pinch cayenne
  • 1 t dijon mustard
  • cherry tomatoes, chopped
  • other mix in options: capers+shallots+dill+eggplant+dijon
  • kale+basil+red onion+parsley+cayenne
  • tarragon+parsley+dill+spinach
  • mushrooms+dried tomatoes+chiles+garlic+chives+parsley
  • cannellini beans+roasted bell peppers+chives+garlic+bacon+cucumber+dijon
  • celery+chives+parsley
  • for serving: bread
  • lettuce

Instructions

  1. Combine egg salad base (eggs, mayo/silken tofu, yogurt/silken tofu, and salt). Refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Choose desired mix ins and prepare or cook as needed. For original mix in recipe: Heat a skillet over medium-low. Add 1 t olive oil. When it's hot, add mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes then season with salt. Cook for 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Cool to room temperature.
  3. Mix egg salad base with mushrooms, garlic (can add in last minute of mushroom cooking time if you prefer for it not to be raw), basil, beans, cayenne, and dijon. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
  4. Serve on your favorite bread (toasted, if desired), topped with cherry tomatoes and lettuce.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/egg-salad/