It's peanut butter jelly time!

Love watching the travel channel especially the cool places to eat episodes. And had to force the boy to take me to the Peanut Butter Co. over at 240 Sullivan Street New York, NY 1001. Now when you get there, you may be put off by the prices but  I can tell you the sandwiches which are given to you on a large plate with carrots and chips. You should go and enjoy it. I promise it is worth it.

Don't I look like an overfed cat? 

Where the magic happens

I remember when I first moved into my apartment and remember seeing the kitchen. I wan not impressed but was glad to have my own space to create my culinary tour de forces. I have grown to love its little quirks. From the brown cabinets that I have to spray with Pam to keep from squeaking to the old stove that has taken alot of punishment from me to my yellowing fridge were the light doesn't work. The little touches from the clock to the stick on apple decals and my Rachel Ray garbage bowl.  It non the less makes me want to create new meals and experiment. So what of I don't have stainless steel appliances or a dishwasher.My hands work. Take a look at my little kitchen and look around all of the meals I have prepared for better or worse, it's perfect.

Black and Bean

I was reading a recipe from Dave Lieberman who had a show on the Food Network. He has a recipe for black bean soup. I love black beans and decided to try my hand at it. I did not have several of the ingredients on hand and I always feel that you can make just about anything with whatever you have in your pantry. I always have canned beans in my pantry. You can make cakes, add them to rice or make my version of black bean soup.

you will need:

1-can low sodium black bean drained

1-medium onion diced

3-cloves of garlic, diced

2-small tomatoes, diced

4-slices thin lean ham, diced

1/2-cup of refried pinto beans*

3-dashes of Worcestershire sauce

1-cup unsalted chicken or vegetable broth

1-sage leaf, chopped

2-dashes hot sauce

1-sprig of thyme, chopped

2-tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

sour cream, cilantro or avocado for garnish

*optional

equipment:

blender 

In a sauce pan heat the oil and crisp up the ham approximately 2 minutes. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, black beans and pinto beans and cook for a minute. Add the broth or stock, worcestershire and hot sauce and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool a little then add ladle by ladle to your blender and puree until smooth. You want a dense consistency. When all the soup is blended pour into a bowl add your garnish and enjoy this delicious meal hot or cool.

Happy Eating!

The other white meat

As anyone who knows, pork is a meat steeped in controversy. I mean some people don't eat "swine." Why the hell not? If you know who cow and chicken are processed why dismiss the tastiest of the three for whatever reason? I like pork. I think it helps turn a typical dish into something special. My seared panko crusted pork chops with white rice in a vegetable broth which gives it a nice blush color and fried plantains gives the dish an authentic Hispanic flare. Try it tonight.

you will need
4-thin loin pork chops
1-sprig thyme, minced
3-sage leaves, minced
2-cloves garlic, minced
1-egg beaten
1-cup white rice
1 cup all purpose flour
2-cups panko bread crumbs
2-cups water or vegetable broth
5-frozen plantains
1/2-cup canola oil
salt and pepper to taste

Season the pork chops with the thyme, garlic, sage salt and pepper to taste. Set up the flour, egg and bread crumbs and coat the pork chops in that order. In a saute' pan heat the oil in medium high heat. Cook the pork chops approximately 3 minutes on each side then remove and place on a rack or on paper towels to drain the excess oil. In a small pot bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil with some salt. Add the rice reduce heat to a simmer and cook according to the directions approximately 20 minutes

optional* Goya fried frozen plantains. Take the amount of plantains you will use and put in a bowl with very salted water for 5 minutes then drain and dry. In a pot with a cup of canola oil cook the plantains until golden brown and place on paper towels. Add salt as they cool.

When the rice is done place a 1/2 cup with one sliced pork chops and 2 plantains and enjoy

Happy Eating!