Tag Archives: beans

[64] Tortilla Beef Cassarole

Cover of Cook Once, Eat Twice

Well, this is the third “recipe set” we’ve made or attempted to make from this cookbook, and the the second of the third set.

The basic idea behind the book is a solid one; make something that will definitely have extra on day one, then transition it into a new meal on day two. The idea is to use the ease of making extra while avoiding the “stigma” of leftovers. Unsurprisingly, this means the stuff that goes into “day two food” tends to be extremely easy to obtain and use. You’d think that would be a good thing.

Unfortunately, something is making the second day’s recipes fall somewhat flat. I’m not sure what. Now, admittedly, of the three sets we’ve made, only two have had a second day’s worth of food, so we can’t judge the second day’s recipe for the second set (that’s a failing of it’s own, for sure).… Continue reading →

[63] Italian-Style Pot Roast

Cover of Cook Once, Eat Twice

Confession time:

“Michelle”:http://www.metacookbook.com/archives/66-Cherry-Pie-For-Michelle.html got this recipe before anyone else did. She specifically asked for an easy recipe in a recent e-mail. Since I’d just made this pot “roast” and it’s companion recipe, they were right on my mind. And, truly, they are easy. When she asked me to post about the cherry pie it was so my readers would know that even someone who makes a lot of “fancy” meals pulls out a can from time to time.

Well, y’all, this is that time. I wanted a slow-cooker recipe for last Friday, because I tend to be out in the afternoons during prime “cooking prep time”. Frankly, while I can still get a meal on the table when I get home, the thought of just having dinner be ready whenever Bill and I were was sublime.… Continue reading →

[57] Bean and Potato Gratin (with Turnips)

How to Cook Everything, Revised Edition by Mark Bittman

For the vast majority of my life, beans have been involved in many meals I’ve consumed. However, each of those meals used the exact same preparation and type of beans.

Yes, I grew up in New Mexico. So I ate a lot of refried pinto beans. A lot of them. No, even more than that. Seriously. Because I really didn’t like most meat burritos, or tacos, or well, lots of things. I was basically left with eating bean burritos every time my family went for New Mexican food (except breakfast – that glorious meal). Or some variation on bean burritos. Like bean-stuffed sopapillas. Or the bean and cheese turnover at the now extinct Ron’s (Ron & Marsha’s to my parents).

Beyond that, though, I have almost no experience with beans.… Continue reading →

[51] Beer-Glazed Black Beans with Bacon (and Tomatoes!)

How to Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman

Oh man, oh man! I’m so far behind on getting recipes up, and I’m not quite sure how that happened. Still, it’s an exciting time for me. We knocked out seven recipes last week (including this one and the previous post), and are on target to knock out another seven or eight this week. And that’s including having punked out and had pizza last night, our attending a game night Thursday, and our being off to a birthday celebration Saturday.

Woo! Of course, that means I better get a crackin’ on posting these old recipes, eh? Well, here’s the starter.

My hint for this recipe is to be careful with your chili/chile powder.

h2. Ingredients

4 – 8 oz bacon, cut into cubes or small pieces
1 onion, chopped

1 tbsp minced garlic (I just used about 3 big cloves.)… Continue reading →

[50] Cooked Beans, the Quick Soak Way

How to Cook Everything, Revised Edition by Mark Bittman

Hooray! We’ve managed 50 recipes so far. I know we really could have been chugging along at a better pace, given when we started, but I’m still pretty pleased with 50 recipes. If nothing else, it means we’re still both dedicated to making this work.

Plus, it’s been a lot of fun.

So last night was one of those wonderful nights where we managed several recipes at once. In that case, it was three. It was looking like it’d just be two, but I realized I had never made dried beans before, and wanted to give it a go. Plus, this way, once the power goes out for three days this upcoming winter, we can eat the canned beans we have. It’s like we’re survivalists! We have canned food and a manual can opener.… Continue reading →