corrielle

This summer, we're trying to eat more economically, which means cooking at home as often as possible.  We're both decent cooks, and we have a ton of cookbooks and adventurous spirits. 

Last night, though, was something simple.  I made crockpot beans and ham. 

Now, for me, this was a bit adventurous simply because I've never actually gone through the process of soaking beans overnight.  In my family, we always bought them canned.  Turns out it's pretty easy, though.  I just followed the directions on the 1lb. bag of pinto beans we had in the cupboard and left them soaking on the counter before I went to bed.  Then, when I woke up yesterday, I rinsed them, dumped them in the crock pot with 6 cups of water, a quart bag's worth of defrosted ham from Thanksgiving (thank you, Mom and Dad!), a whole chopped up onion, and a pinch of tomato soup base powder.  I set the crock pot on "high" for the next five hours, and put it on "low" for another hour or so, and at the end of that time, we had something pretty special.  The ham had given all of its sweet flavor to the broth and the beans, and the beans and onion were perfect and soft and well cooked.  The whole thing was just amazing, especially when we crumbled the corn bread I made from scratch over it.  I haven't felt so connected to my Oklahoman ancestors in a long time.  I can't help but thinking my grandmother would have approved.

So, first summer cooking experiment: great success.

We have lots of leftovers, and it's a good thing, too.  Come Sunday night, I'll be needing all the comfort food I can get.

(Seriously, if you see me Monday feel free to hug me without any explanation.  I promise I'll need it.)

So, we've been on a bit of a "try out recipes from new cookbooks" kick lately. And by "we," I mean "Rae does most of the planning and the cooking, and I go on shopping trips and do prep work like chopping things." Still... that's helpful, right?

For Sunday, since it was the GoT finale, we broke out the new Feast of Ice and Fire cookbook and made the honeyed chicken recipe from the section for The North.  We also had delicious roasted potatoes and veggies with spices. (I don't think there WAS a recipe for this... it was more like, "this looks like a good idea!" and... it was.) The honeyed chicken was fantastic, though. A+ + would eat again.

Then, last night, she pulled out a cookbook called Chocolate and Zuchini and made a couple of really interesting dishes that I never would have attempted on my own. The first was zucchini carpaccio with raspberry vinegar (we used blackberry vinegar because I hate raspberries).  Then, we had quinoa, bacon, and mushroom cake, which turned out great.  I've not had many savory cakes in my life, but this was delicious.

Tonight, we're having chicken and cashew mini-quiches... I think... and if recent experience is any guide, those will be good too.

And now that I'm hungry, I think I'm going to go forage for leftovers.