Pasta e Fagioli literally means pasta with beans, so in that sense that's exactly what this is. If you came here looking for the Olive Garden soup, you've come to the wrong website. This is pretty amazing, though. I took all the basic ingredients of standard Italian pasta e fagioli and swapped them with things I had on hand. Doing this, I was able to make eight servings for less than two dollars. Even having to buy some of the things I already had on hand, minus the spices, you'd spend less than four dollars. Did I mention this is a great recipe?
INGREDIENTS:
4 Tbsp. butter
1 small red onion, diced
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/8 tsp. dried oregano
1/8 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1 can (5 oz.) great northern beans, flavored with sausage
1 pkg (12 oz.) extra wide egg noodles
1 pkg (0.87 oz.) brown gravy mix
8 cups water
Red pepper flakes, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Melt butter in a large skillet. Cook onion, garlic, and herbs until onion is translucent. Add in beans (juice and all) and mix well. Pour in pasta and water, then sprinkle over red pepper flakes and gravy mix, stirring gently until combined. Taste the sauce. If it's too salty add a little bit of sugar to balance it out, but not so much that you can taste the sweetness. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until noodles are cooked, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to sit for at least 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
That's it. Less than half an hour from beginning to end and less than four dollars out of your budget. You'll notice I took out the tomato base because tomatoes give me wicked heartburn. Next time I may add sliced sausage or diced carrots just for a little more texture. All in all, though, it's one of my favorite things I've made in a while. Now, go forth and eat. :-)
Personal Choices, Public Prejudice
I travel between five courthouses for my day job. I'm on pretty good terms with most everyone I interact with there, and a few of them have known me since I was a small child. I have a lot of respect for these people, and I flatter myself that they value me for who I am as a person. About a year ago I was wearing bright blue extensions in my hair.One of these ladies that has known me my whole life assumed they were real. After a brief exchange, she asked me "Why would you want to do that to yourself?" Her tone said much more than just her words tell here. It spoke of prejudice, judgement, and even a hint of revulsion.
Last weekend my husband and I were at the bar. There we ran into some friends and their respective lady-friends. One of these ladies had a really unique piercing and was explaining how they did it. The friend that was not with her made a really big deal about it, asking repeated variations on the "but why would you want to do that to yourself" theme.
Yesterday a co-worker upset another co-worker over her jewelry. Co-worker #1 is very religious. Co-worker #2 considers herself the same, but just happens to adore girly skull things. Yesterday she wore a beautiful necklace and earring set with rhinestone skulls and roses. Co-worker #1 acted offended and kept on and on about "why would you want to wear things like that?"
Let me share with you what I told that lady a year ago. "Because I think it's cool, and I figure anyone who judges me based on my appearance and not on who I am as a person isn't worth worrying about." It is a phrase that is beautiful and perfect in its pointed indirectness. I'm not accusing you of such things, but maybe you should really think about that thing you just said, m'kay? I love it, and it was EXTREMELY effective.
So, if you've made it this far, this is my friendly little public service announcement. When it comes to other people, all you need to be concerned with in this life is what is on the inside. Not about their hair or clothes or sexual orientation or religious convictions. The color of my hair does not hurt anyone, least of all me. So what does it matter if I "do that to myself?" Same for piercings, tattoos, and even sex. It's my body, it's my soul, it's my choice, not yours. If it isn't hurting me, if it isn't involving you, why should you be concerned?
NO ONE owes you an explanation about their lifestyle choices. NO ONE.
Last weekend my husband and I were at the bar. There we ran into some friends and their respective lady-friends. One of these ladies had a really unique piercing and was explaining how they did it. The friend that was not with her made a really big deal about it, asking repeated variations on the "but why would you want to do that to yourself" theme.
Yesterday a co-worker upset another co-worker over her jewelry. Co-worker #1 is very religious. Co-worker #2 considers herself the same, but just happens to adore girly skull things. Yesterday she wore a beautiful necklace and earring set with rhinestone skulls and roses. Co-worker #1 acted offended and kept on and on about "why would you want to wear things like that?"
Let me share with you what I told that lady a year ago. "Because I think it's cool, and I figure anyone who judges me based on my appearance and not on who I am as a person isn't worth worrying about." It is a phrase that is beautiful and perfect in its pointed indirectness. I'm not accusing you of such things, but maybe you should really think about that thing you just said, m'kay? I love it, and it was EXTREMELY effective.
So, if you've made it this far, this is my friendly little public service announcement. When it comes to other people, all you need to be concerned with in this life is what is on the inside. Not about their hair or clothes or sexual orientation or religious convictions. The color of my hair does not hurt anyone, least of all me. So what does it matter if I "do that to myself?" Same for piercings, tattoos, and even sex. It's my body, it's my soul, it's my choice, not yours. If it isn't hurting me, if it isn't involving you, why should you be concerned?
NO ONE owes you an explanation about their lifestyle choices. NO ONE.
Agave Kumquat Chicken
This is my "healthier" take on Honey Orange Chicken. And by "healthier" I mean I made it in a pressure cooker instead of deep frying it. Still, I think it tastes pretty good.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Cut kumquats on the diagonal. Roughly chop tarragon. Place both in base of a pressure cooker. Dice the chicken into bite-sized chunks, then place over kumquats. Pour in stock and water. Drizzle agave over chicken, then splash with enough hot sauce to thinly coat. Season with salt and pepper. Pressure cook according to your manufacturer's directions.
Drain juices into a pot and bring to a boil for ten minutes, or until it begins to reduce in volume. Create a paste with cornstarch and a little bit of juice, then whisk into pot. Bring back to a low boil, then simmer for several minutes until thickened slightly. Allow to cool just a bit until it thickens some more, then pour over chicken and kumquats. Sprinkle chicken with sesame seeds. Serve with steamed brown rice and a little bit of fish sauce.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces kumquats
- 1/4 fresh tarragon
- 1/2 cup vegetable stock, low sodium
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 ounce light agave nectar
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Louisiana hot sauce
- sea salt
- black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- toasted sesame seeds, optional
Directions:
Cut kumquats on the diagonal. Roughly chop tarragon. Place both in base of a pressure cooker. Dice the chicken into bite-sized chunks, then place over kumquats. Pour in stock and water. Drizzle agave over chicken, then splash with enough hot sauce to thinly coat. Season with salt and pepper. Pressure cook according to your manufacturer's directions.
Drain juices into a pot and bring to a boil for ten minutes, or until it begins to reduce in volume. Create a paste with cornstarch and a little bit of juice, then whisk into pot. Bring back to a low boil, then simmer for several minutes until thickened slightly. Allow to cool just a bit until it thickens some more, then pour over chicken and kumquats. Sprinkle chicken with sesame seeds. Serve with steamed brown rice and a little bit of fish sauce.
More Magazine Excitement
I know I promised that I would come back with my Champagne Ice Cream recipe -- and I will -- but I wanted to formally announce what I've been working on for the last month and a half. First, some back story:
Last October I did (yet another) food photoshoot for Wiregrass Living Magazine. The theme was easy Halloween party foods and the spread should come out in this September's magazine. I typically only do full-on spreads once a year... Actually, more like every year and a half... So, while we had bounced around some ideas for a future feature, I wasn't expecting anything any time soon.
Then in January the editor emailed me and asked if I'd be interested in going forward with a similar idea to the one we'd talked about. You see, I'd wanted to do an article with my husband about the recent legalization of homebrewing in Alabama. It would, of course, be complete with both beer and food recipes. The editor put it before the board, but I guess they're still a bit wary. Instead, we're going to ease into it by doing a spread which uses recipes made with commercially available beer.
She wanted to do it in February, but I was booked solid. Small mercies, as I normally have 3-4 months to prepare, not 1-2! This Friday is the shoot and everything looks like it'll go off without a hitch. There are 5 veggies/sides, 4 meats, 3 desserts, 2 breads, and 1 cocktail. If all that weren't enough to entice you to buy a copy when it hits shelves this summer, here's the recipe list:
Marinated Vegetable Kabobs
Steamed, Stuffed Artichokes
Red Potatoes au Gratin
Boston Baked Beans
Roasted Root Salad
Pulled BBQ Pork
Pecan Glazed Steak and Onions
Currywurst
Beer Battered Chicken Wings
Butterscotch Beer Pie
Mexican Chocolate Toffee Bark
Dark Chocolate Stout Cake
Cheddar Cornmeal Popovers
Orange Blossom & Cranberry Muffins
Summer Moon Cocktail
If you can successfully guess five of the beers used in these recipes (and there are multiple right answers for almost all of them because I like flexibility) I will give you a free copy of the magazine when it comes out. Good luck, and I'll see you next week when it's all over!!
Last October I did (yet another) food photoshoot for Wiregrass Living Magazine. The theme was easy Halloween party foods and the spread should come out in this September's magazine. I typically only do full-on spreads once a year... Actually, more like every year and a half... So, while we had bounced around some ideas for a future feature, I wasn't expecting anything any time soon.
Then in January the editor emailed me and asked if I'd be interested in going forward with a similar idea to the one we'd talked about. You see, I'd wanted to do an article with my husband about the recent legalization of homebrewing in Alabama. It would, of course, be complete with both beer and food recipes. The editor put it before the board, but I guess they're still a bit wary. Instead, we're going to ease into it by doing a spread which uses recipes made with commercially available beer.
She wanted to do it in February, but I was booked solid. Small mercies, as I normally have 3-4 months to prepare, not 1-2! This Friday is the shoot and everything looks like it'll go off without a hitch. There are 5 veggies/sides, 4 meats, 3 desserts, 2 breads, and 1 cocktail. If all that weren't enough to entice you to buy a copy when it hits shelves this summer, here's the recipe list:
Marinated Vegetable Kabobs
Steamed, Stuffed Artichokes
Red Potatoes au Gratin
Boston Baked Beans
Roasted Root Salad
Pulled BBQ Pork
Pecan Glazed Steak and Onions
Currywurst
Beer Battered Chicken Wings
Butterscotch Beer Pie
Mexican Chocolate Toffee Bark
Dark Chocolate Stout Cake
Cheddar Cornmeal Popovers
Orange Blossom & Cranberry Muffins
Summer Moon Cocktail
If you can successfully guess five of the beers used in these recipes (and there are multiple right answers for almost all of them because I like flexibility) I will give you a free copy of the magazine when it comes out. Good luck, and I'll see you next week when it's all over!!
7 Minute Avgolemono Ramen
Last year I posted my recipe for Avgolemono Soup -- that is, Greek Chicken Noodle Soup -- because I had a hard time finding the canned version that I loved and my recipe was pretty good if time-consuming. But today I bring you the lazy (wo)man's version: Now with 100% more ramen!
Ingredients:
1 pkg. chicken ramen
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. olive oil
1 1/2 - 2 cups water
Directions:
Put dry ramen noodles into a bowl and cover with enough water to just barely cover the ramen. The ramen will float to the top, but make sure it's enough to cover it when pushed down. Microwave on high for about 4 minutes. Break up noodles and stir with a fork. Microwave for an additional 3 minutes. Beat the egg yolk with lemon juice and olive oil. When ramen is done, pour a little bit of the hot water into the egg mixture and combine thoroughly. Gently pour the egg mixture into the ramen. Sprinkle on chicken flavoring and stir well.
Is it exactly like Avgolemono? No. But it will satisfy a craving for something both savory and tangy in under 10 minutes!
Next time I'll bring you my famous Champagne Ice Cream. :)
Moving, Moving, Moved!
Not really. We're still in the process. We've only lived in this house, what? Almost six months. My poor long-suffering mother has been having to put up with our stuff for far longer than I'm sure she imagined. We've finally moved most of the furniture. I think we just have three bookshelves, two steamer trunks, and a coffee table to go. That'll have to wait until Sunday, though. In the meantime, I'm cleaning my house and hers trying to sort through and get rid of the last four years of not-quite-hoarding. I'm tired of living out of boxes and bags, and I'm tired of constantly finding things I don't give two figs about but not the things I actually need.
This goes for books, too, unfortunately. We are most definitely book hoarders! I've found books I haven't read in years with pages falling out and it has taken all my willpower to just THROW IT AWAY. There's an Office 2007 book that I keep thinking, "Gosh, we should donate this to the thrift store." And then I have to remind myself that that was SEVEN YEARS AGO. Goodness! Where did the time go? I finally threw away my Creative Suite 2 book. And Ruled Britannia which was molding. And Oliver Twist. And all my Harvard University Press catalogs of "really interesting book" porn. The last were admittedly the hardest, and that probably tells you way more about me than you ever needed to know. Nobody likes Oliver Twist anyway.
So now we've got probably five or six boxes worth of books sitting around in piles waiting to go to the thrift store. My plan had always been to sell them when I opened my used book store, but that dream's on hold for probably the next thirty-five years and these babies aren't getting any younger. We can't haul them off quite yet because I only want to make one trip to said Salvation Army and we still have a ton of clothes to go through. We've been doing laundry for two days now and the end is nowhere in sight.
We've had to rearrange quite a bit to accommodate things. When I realized I couldn't live without books in my living room, we had to move Casablanca. It's now behind the door, which bothered me until I realized that means it's out of direct UV light, preserving the colors better and also positioning Humphrey so that his soulful gaze rests more easily upon mine. The dresser and fan and recliner and end tables all ended up in places they had originally been unintended for, as well. C'est la vie.
I'm excited about getting everything over here, though. It's finally feeling more like a home and less like a half-empty apartment. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go rotate the wash.
This goes for books, too, unfortunately. We are most definitely book hoarders! I've found books I haven't read in years with pages falling out and it has taken all my willpower to just THROW IT AWAY. There's an Office 2007 book that I keep thinking, "Gosh, we should donate this to the thrift store." And then I have to remind myself that that was SEVEN YEARS AGO. Goodness! Where did the time go? I finally threw away my Creative Suite 2 book. And Ruled Britannia which was molding. And Oliver Twist. And all my Harvard University Press catalogs of "really interesting book" porn. The last were admittedly the hardest, and that probably tells you way more about me than you ever needed to know. Nobody likes Oliver Twist anyway.
So now we've got probably five or six boxes worth of books sitting around in piles waiting to go to the thrift store. My plan had always been to sell them when I opened my used book store, but that dream's on hold for probably the next thirty-five years and these babies aren't getting any younger. We can't haul them off quite yet because I only want to make one trip to said Salvation Army and we still have a ton of clothes to go through. We've been doing laundry for two days now and the end is nowhere in sight.
We've had to rearrange quite a bit to accommodate things. When I realized I couldn't live without books in my living room, we had to move Casablanca. It's now behind the door, which bothered me until I realized that means it's out of direct UV light, preserving the colors better and also positioning Humphrey so that his soulful gaze rests more easily upon mine. The dresser and fan and recliner and end tables all ended up in places they had originally been unintended for, as well. C'est la vie.
I'm excited about getting everything over here, though. It's finally feeling more like a home and less like a half-empty apartment. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go rotate the wash.
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