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By Caroline, February 9, 2010

When your friend is a foodie, it’s both easy and difficult to buy gifts. Easy, because you know exactly what they like, and difficult, because there’s a good chance they already own whatever it is you were planning on buying them. This is the case when Adrianna and I try and buy each other gifts, however, we seemed to have both pulled it off nicely this past Christmas. I gave her a cutting board that was hand-made by my step-dad, and it’s already made its appearance in posts like this and this. I understand that since he made it he should get most of the credit, but let’s not dwell on this for too long, okay?

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By Caroline, October 23, 2009

In its most basic definition, huevos rancheros is eggs on top of a tortilla and then topped with salsa. Scan through recipes and you see time and again that it’s the salsa that plays a starring role. With tortillas and eggs being a bit difficult to jazz up, each cook will try to distinguish their recipe with a new spin on the salsa.

I, however, am not the biggest fan of tomato salsa, and I have been known to order huevos rancheros and then *gasp* scrape the chunks of tomato right off. To me, the main attraction for this dish is black beans, which isn’t even a required ingredient. Something about black beans and eggs mixed together is just heavenly in the morning. So when I decided to take on this dish at home, I spent none of my energy on the salsa and just bought a  *gasp* store-bought jar, and then began focusing on how to spice up the black beans.

Continue reading 'Huevos Rancheros with BBQ Black Beans'»

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By Caroline, August 20, 2009

Sometimes I decide to cook something because it’s a recipe I’ve done a million times and I know that it’s going to taste amazing, like cheddar & pinto bean patties. Sometimes it’s because I see a recipe in a book, magazine, or blog and am immediately compelled to give it a try, like Smitten Kitchen’s pasta with goat cheese. Then, I have the days when I realize that I’ve had that box of couscous in my cupboard for a year, a YEAR, and by George, I’m going to do SOMETHING with it. That’s when I make things like Couscous Salad with Cherries.

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By Caroline, June 19, 2009

It’s Monday, and the day is finally over. I’m home after it’s already dark, the dog’s been walked and all I really want to do is sit on the couch and do absolutely nothing. I mean, lifting the remote seems like it may take too much energy at this point. However, my stomach is angrily growling at me, and I need to think of something to feed it.

I have a few recipes that I keep around for such dire occasions as these, and this is one of them. The best things about these bean patties is that you can keep all of these ingredients on hand and just whip it together when you get home from an endless day of work. If you’re really organized, you could prep them the day before and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook the next day. But honestly, I am never, ever, even remotely that organized and I love any recipe that says I can mix some pantry items in a bowl, throw it on a skillet and call it dinner.

Continue reading 'Cheddar and Pinto Bean Patties'»

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By Adrianna, May 25, 2009

Most days begin with me thinking of what I’ll cook for dinner. I know that might sound strange to some, but it really is what gets me through the day. By noon I’m usually wishing I were at home beginning the prep work for some extravagant dish that would win the hearts of many, but by around 5pm my ambition usually dwindles when I’m hit by the reality that there’s no way one could go home, head to the market, AND cook short ribs for 2 hrs.

Continue reading 'Cannellini and Feta Sandwich'»