It’s easy to always think about St. Paul & Minneapolis, the Twin Cities, as a Swedish/Norwegian city and we do have a large population. Maybe our weather made them feel at home. But it’s just as easy to forget that our earliest settlements were French and/or French Canadian. So in honor of our French, here’s a “Bean Pot” or if ya want to be fancier, I’ll just call this a Minnesota Cassoulet Bean Pot.
Minnesota Cassoulet “Bean Pot”
I know I’ve been posting a few “basic” recipes lately (hiya hard-boiled eggs) but I’m fixin’ (sorry) to cook up a big old pot of my Cheer’s Boston Baked Beans & thought this would be the perfect time to talk about Brining Beans Traditional or Instant Pot Methods. You’ll see I’ve been hoarding pics of beans soaked using different methods from the last few times I’ve made beans.
Unsoaked and Uncooked Navy Beans
Merry Christmas, everyone! Here it is, Christmas Eve day, and I thought I’d show you one of my favorite Christmas Eve dinners, this time done in the Instant Pot. Chili. I know, strange to some, as a Christmas Eve dinner.
Instant Pot Chili
It could very well be that I’m in denial! I am astonished each time it snows! I do live in Minnesota, and it IS November, but really? Snow twice last week and again the other day. But snow to me = soup, so soup it is. Again. 🙂 And what a soup this is. Smoked Sausage & White Bean Soup – Instant Pot or Stove-top.
Some of you might remember I made a one pan Porcupine Skillet Dinner a few weeks ago. It was surprisingly good. It inspired me to see if I could do the same thing with a Mexican style meal. And so my Easy Taco Skillet Dinner was born.
Easy Taco Skillet Dinner
I have other White Chicken Chili recipes here, so I’m not real sure how I got inspired to make this one…a hint of fall coming, maybe? Yep. I said it. Fall. I’m glad I made this Chili, though, because Easy White Chicken Chili’s seriously delish.
Easy White Chicken Chili
Just in case you look at these pictures and think I’m nuts, these green beans, sautéed till slightly blistered, then tossed with soy, honey and garlic stole the show the other night at dinner.
Takeout Style Green Beans
A while back, in a discussion with some friends about food that’s great to eat when you’d like to knock off a few pounds, someone mentioned Cabbage Soup – in a rather derogatory way. They were talking about The Original Fat Burning Cabbage Soup, a recipe that’s been around for ages and ages.
Original Fat Burning Cabbage Soup
I love mixing up fresh salsas and sides, especially now that the warm weather is here! This Roasted Corn & Black Bean Salsa is perfect for a side with Mexican, Southwestern or Barbecued food, or just for dipping when the mood hits.
Roasted Corn & Black Bean Salsa
I don’t know about you, but I love, love, love me some Chicken Tortilla Soup. Or some Turkey Tortilla Soup. Or probably ANY Tortilla Soup. Just put it in front of me and I’ll eat it – no questions asked.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This Creamy White Chicken Chili is creamy & cheesy with a hint of heat and a touch of smokiness.
Creamy White Chicken Chili
Awhile back, I posted a recipe for Cumin Dusted Pork Chops and mentioned this Southwestern Protein Mix. A wonderful medley of corn, bell peppers, black beans and barley, this flavorful dish would be a fantastic side for any number of meals.
Southwestern Protein Mix
Refried beans are so often misunderstood – unless you’ve had great ones! That’s another post but in the meantime, don’t be afraid to pick up can. Get the right brand and use this top-secret method to doctor Canned Refried Beans into creamy goodness just like a restaurant’s in minutes.
There was a time when the most popular Chili used to be quite a bit different than the trendy varieties of today. A time when it was made with simpler ingredients and was served as a family meal, not a culinary adventure. A time when it was saucy enough to add a few crackers – and saucy enough that one HAD to use a spoon. I miss that chili.
Old Fashioned American Chili
This gorgeous salad is a great summer side and the black beans and quinoa provide enough protein to justify serving it as a vegetarian main dish meal. Lime, garlic, cumin and red pepper flakes make this a fresh, fragrant and (I always smile when I say this word) zesty dish.
Southwestern Quinoa Salad
I’m always excited when I see a major food magazine put out a simple recipe using wholesome ingredients. I loved it when Bon Appetite recently recognized that some flavors just stand on their own, and even a depression era dish like “beans on toast” can be updated to today’s standards and still retain their integrity.
White Bean Ragout
Cuban Black Bean soup is simply one of the most wonderful meals – the soft, flavorful beans, the smoky ham, the rich broth, the indescribable warmth of the cumin.
Most Soups Freeze like a Dream. including this Cuban Black Bean Soup
For as long as I can remember, the hallmark of Navy Bean soup has been the old standby, Senate Navy Bean soup – wonderful as it is, I’ve found that even those who don’t care for it like this highly flavorful Navy Bean Soup with Bacon. I’ve been making this soup for close to 40 years, now, and it is, hands down, my family’s all time favorite.
Navy Bean Soup with Bacon & Ham
I didn’t used to care for Minestrone. And that’s putting it mildly. I’d had a couple at restaurants that weren’t great and I never explored it further. What I had was kind of muddy and dull in flavor and that pasta in it? Ummm, no thank you! If you’re like I was, it’s time to revisit and check out this Winter Minestrone with Sausage & Beans.
Winter Minestrone with Sausage & Beans adapted from Tyler Florence
A bit different from the White Chicken Chilis out there, this one is a rich, earthy, spicy chili that just happens to have white beans and chicken. A deep tomato base and a good amount of spice make this a chili more suited for an adult audience (unless your kids are like mine!)
Chipotle & White Bean Chicken Chili
