Black bean and corn salad

photo credit: www.seriouseats.com/2013/06/black-bean-corn-red-pepper-salad-with-lime-ci.html

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups frozen corn kernels
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 avocado, chopped

large handful cilantro, chopped
2 tsp chipotle Tabasco sauce
1 lime, juiced

Mix all ingredients together and serve.

Italian salad

salad greens

basil

scallions

red pepper, chopped

garbanzo beans

salami

grilled chicken

provolone cheese

balsamic vinaigrette (olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar)

Dutch Baby Pancake

photo credit: http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/GermanPancake.htm

6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup whole wheat flour or whole grain pancake batter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 T butter

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Place the oven rack on the middle rack of the oven. Place a large, cast iron skillet in the oven until hot and sizzling. While pan is heating, prepare your batter.

In a large bowl or blender, beat the eggs until light and frothy.  Add milk, flour, sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat for 5 minutes more. The batter will be thin, but very smooth and creamy.

Pull out the oven rack with pot holders and add the butter to the skillet.  Be very careful because the pan will be super hot, so I don't touch it directly at all.  

In a minute, open the oven door and tilt the pan, evenly coating the bottom of the pan with the butter.  Pour the prepared batter into the hot skillet, all at once, and immediately return the skillet to the oven.  Bake for 15 mins.

Collard Greens

image credit: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/collard-greens-recipe.html

olive oil
1/2 to 1 whole onion, chopped
10 oz collards
1-2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp salt
red pepper flakes
1 tsp maple syrup


Saute onion on medium heat in a tablespoon of olive oil. Once onion is soft, add the collards and cook for 10 mins.  Add the garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes, careful to stir frequently so the garlic doesn't burn. After a few minutes add a very light drizzle of maple syrup to add a touch of sweetness.

Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins

photo credit and recipe adapted from: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/03/insanely-good-blueberry-oatmeal-muffins.html 

1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 cup milk
1/3 cup turbinado sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
baking spray

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a muffin tin with liners. Place oats in a food processor or blender and pulse a few times. Soak oats in milk for about 30 minutes.

In a medium bowl combine sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla; mix well.

In a third bowl combine whole wheat flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and whisk to combine.

Combine oats and milk with sugar/oil mixture and mix well. Slowly add in the dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated. Fold in blueberries.

Spoon into the muffin tin and bake for 26 minutes. Enjoy!!

Braised Beef

photo credit: http://www.fearlesshomemaker.com/2011/10/red-wine-braised-beef-stew

recipe adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/veal-stew-2/

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds beef stew meat
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup red wine
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions; cook until onion is tender. Then add garlic and saute for 1 minute.
Add meat to the pot, and brown evenly.
Stir in tomato sauce and wine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours or until tender.

Optional: You can add large chunks of carrots and potatoes in the last hour of cooking.

Apple, Cheddar, Walnut Salad

photo credit: http://www.alaskafromscratch.com/2011/11/04/apple-cheddar-green-salad-with-balsamic-vinaigrette/

greens of choice (I like baby spinach or baby lettuce)
sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
chopped apple
chopped walnuts
dressing of choice (I like balsamic vinaigrette or just olive oil and honey)

Toss ingredients and serve!