Saturday, April 30, 2011

Bean Burritos with Jicama salad

THURSDAY
The burritos are all my own creation.
We are simply going to take pinto beans and black beans on Wednesday night and throw them in the crockpot.
Thursday morning, rinse, refill with fresh water.  Throw in a slice of bacon for flavor and fat along with a half a diced onion and a clove of garlic turn crockpot on low (8hrs) to allow beans to cook.
Upon arriving home I'll strain out liquid, making sure to reserve some for later use.  Separate the black beans as I don't want to mash those ones.  I prefer those whole.  In a skillet, start cooking some chopped bacon slices (I usually use two slices for frijoles refrito), then add beans.  Allow beans to cook in bacon and grease from the bacon.  When the pintos start becoming really dry I add some reserved liquid.  Start mashing soon afterwards.
When beans are mashed and bacon is somewhat cooked down the beans are done!

Jicama Salad

If you are serving the jicama salad as a side to a spicy Mexican dish like enchiladas or tostadas, then you don't need to add olive oil or avocados. There is enough fat in the main dish to balance the acidity in the salad. In fact, a benefit of the salad is that it does just that, brings balance to these types of dishes. But, if you are serving the salad on its own, then you may want to add a little olive oil or some chopped avocado to the salad so it is balanced in and of itself.
INGREDIENTS
1 large jicama (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled, then julienned or cubed (easiest to work with if you cut the jicama in half first)
1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 yellow bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 green bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 a large cucumber, seeded, chopped
1 navel orange, peel cut away, sliced crosswise, then each round quartered
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup lime juice
Pinch of cayenne
Pinch of paprika
Salt
Optional
1/2 avocado chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
METHOD
1 Toss together the jicama, bell peppers, red onion, cucumber, orange, and cilantro in a large serving bowl. Pour lime juice over all. Sprinkle with a pinch of cayenne and paprika. Season generously with salt.
2 Let sit a half an hour before serving.
Serves 4.

Quinoa Salad with apples and almonds

WEDNESDAY
Quinoa Salad with Apples and Almonds
Find recipe here

Pork with Strawberry Herb Sauce with buttered noodles and steamed veggies

TUESDAY
Pork with Strawberry-Herb Sauce
Contributed by Grace Parisi
TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN SERVINGS: 4
Luscious herb-scented pork gets a subtle sweetness from jam. Slicing the pork into medallions makes it cook especially fast.Plus: More Pork Recipes and Tips
ACTIVE: TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN SERVINGS: 4
FASTSTAFF-FAVORITE
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Two 3/4-pound pork tenderloins, each cut crosswise into 4 pieces and pounded 1 inch thick
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 shallot, minced
3/4 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth
2 tablespoons strawberry jam or preserves
Scant 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet, heat the oil. Season the pork with salt and pepper; cook over high heat, turning once, until browned and just cooked through; transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in the skillet. Add the shallot and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened. Add the stock, jam and thyme; cook over high heat, stirring until thickened. Whisk in the mustard. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the remaining butter. Season with salt and pepper. Return the pork and any juices to the skillet; turn to coat then serve.

Tuna, Asparagus and Feta Salad

MONDAY
Tuna, Asparagus and Feta Salad

“This delicious salad provides about 3 portions of vegetables – a generous start on the daily recommendation of 5-7.”
Source: Dr. Weil

Serves 1 people
Categories: SALADS

Ingredients
2 cups romaine lettuce torn into pieces
1 Roma tomato, cut into 8 pieces
1/2 cup steamed asparagus pieces
1/2 can (3 ounces) white albacore tuna, drained
1 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Directions
Mix the romaine, tomato and asparagus. Add the tuna and feta cheese. Sprinkle with the olive oil and toss to coat. Add the balsamic vinegar and toss again.

Serve with leftover pumpernickel bread