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Monday, March 28, 2011

Sub-Par Saturday


It seems I have a tendency to make reeeeeaaalllly good bread, and simultaneously mediocre soups.
Saturday was no exception.  I told you I would let you know when I found a decent whole-wheat version of Mark Bittman’s No-Knead Bread, find it I did.
Check it out here.
I added in 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds, and 1/2 cup of craisins.
Here it is post second rise.







The soup “recipe” is not worth repeating, but I will tell you it involved veggie stock, rotel, and kale.  Yes, I know, I have a problem.
The meal certainly didn’t LOOK sub-par.







I think I’m going to go have some more bread now.

Family Favorite Friday!

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I returned from my “mini-vacation” with my parents on Friday, and decided to whip up a family favorite around here.
Cilantro(!) Black Bean Burgers
  • 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 poblano pepper, roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Cumin (to taste)
  • Chili powder (to taste)
Sweet Potato Fries
  • 1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into fries
  • Few sprays olive oil
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

I prepped the fries first, because I hate peeling things and wanted to get it out of the way.
Plop (a legitimate word) the sweet potato in a bowl and toss with the remaining ingredients.








Spread on a baking sheet, and really give these babies some room to get crisp.







Bake at 500 degrees for 10 minutes, flip, repeat.
On to the burgers.
Sauté the pepper and garlic in a pan with the oil.







Throw in a food processor with the cilantro and process until blended.  Add the beans and pulse a few times.
Get annoyed because the camera is low on battery. Make husband charge it quick, and then take a picture of you mixing in the remaining burger ingredients.







Fry two minutes on each side.
See: fill tiny apartment with smoke.  Again.
Serve with cheese and fries, but no ketchup.  Matthew doesn’t like ketchup. I’m pretty sure he is an alien.













Friday, March 25, 2011

My Bad! Monday

News Flash: you can check out my work in progress website at www.itty-bittykitchen.com! You will still be able to read all my posts here for awhile, so never fear.


On to your regularly scheduled programming.




A lovely March snowstorm kept me in Minnesota this week, so I’ve just been relaxing away my spring break so far!
After Sunday evening’s pad thai meal, it appeared I purchased too much cilantro. Surprise, surprise. My bad.
So I decided to whip up some Chipolte style burrito bowls.
1/3 cup brown rice
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
Lime juice, to taste ( I like mine limey)
Pinch of salt
15 oz black beans
Chili powder
Cumin
Fixin’s (Peppers, sour cream, cheese, and the like)
I lined up my produce to chop







I’m big on lining things up.  I like order.
Simply cook your rice according to your desired method (we love our rice cooker!), and stir in cilantro, lime, and salt.
Put the black beans in the microwave if your lazy like me, and then mix in the cumin and chili powder.
Make sure to line up all your fixin’s in cute little bowls for the sake of the food photography.







Add just the right amount of your favorite stuff and consume.