mexican white beans

 

These beans are DELICIOUS!

mexican white beans (recipe inspired by a gluten free plate)

2 cans white beans (I used cannellini, one can drained and one can with juices)

1 white onion, minced

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced (or 2 tablespoons sliced marinated jalapenos, diced)

4 cloves garlic

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoons oregano

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

vegetable oil

Heat a large pan over medium heat.  Add the onion, jalapeno and garlic and cook for 10 minutes until onion is soft.  Add the beans and spices and lower the heat so the beans can simmer at least ten minutes.  For more flavor let them simmer for up to 25 more minutes.

Serve with cilantro lime rice.  Yum!

cilantro jalapeno sauce

 

One of my daughters and I love this sauce and we use it in different ways.  It's one of those sauces that we're going to have to always have on hand.

cilantro jalapeno sauce (adapted from fifteenspatulas)

3 jalapenos, stems removed and roughly chopped (seeded if you want a mild sauce)

1 bunch fresh cilantro, leaves removed and chopped

1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic

1/2 cup mayonnaise (I used half light mayo and 1/2 light sour cream)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Place everything in a blender and blend on high for 30 seconds.

Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

red pepper asparagus soup

 

My daughter chose this recipe and we made it together. My husband declared it Hall of Fame!  It's a very mild but delicious soup and even more delicious served with a really crusty bread.

red pepper asparagus soup (slightly adapted from cookbook:  Land O Lakes Recipe Collection)

2 tablespoons butter

1 1/2 pounds (about 5 cups) asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 medium (1 cup) red potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 leek (3/4 cup), rinsed, thinly sliced (or substitute with 3/4 cup thinly sliced onion)

1 medium (1 cup) red bell pepper, coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic

2 (14 ounce) cans vegetable broth

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or soy sauce

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil leaves (or substitute 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves)

2 cups traditional or fat free half and half

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

fresh basil or dried basil for sprinkling

Melt butter in a 6-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until sizzling; add asparagus, potatoes, leek, bell pepper and garlic.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is crispy tender (10-12 minutes).

Stir in broth, balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon basil.  Continue cooking until asparagus is tender (10-12 minutes).  Remove from heat; cool 10 minutes.

Stir in half and half, salt and pepper.

Place 2 cups soup in a 5-cup blender container.  Cover; blend until very smooth.  Repeat with remaining soup, 2 cups at a time.  Place soup in a 4-quart saucepan.  Cook over medium heat until soup is heated through (8-10 minutes).

quick and easy pork tacos

 

I wish I'd found this recipe sooner.  This pork turns out so flavorful and tender!  Delicious!

All I did was top my taco with my daughter's fresh tomatillo salsa to give both new recipes a try.  

quick and easy pork tacos (slenderkitchen)

1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into small pieces 

4 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon honey

2 tablespoons taco seasoning

oil for the pan

corn tortillas

toppings: cilantro, tomatillo salsa, diced onions etc. 

Add the pork to a bowl with the lime juice, honey and taco seasoning.  Let marinate 15-30 minutes.   Do not marinate longer or the pork will break down in the lime juice.

Remove the pork from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels.  This will help get it crispy.

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-heat.  Add a drizzle of olive oil.  Add the pork in a single layer and let it sear and brown for 2-3 minutes.  Stir and repeat until the pork is cooked through, about 5-8 minutes total.  Pork tenderloin cooks really quickly and gets dry if cooked too long.

Assemble the tacos with warmed corn tortillas, cilantro and your favorite toppings.