A Few of My Favorite (Summer) Things: Part 1

Although I am an "equal-opportunity-seasons" type of girl (and yes, that is an official term!), like almost everybody else I LOVE summertime.  Even though I have long grown up and don't get the summers off from school, work, and the like, there is still something about summertime that encourages me to sit back, relax, and "live in the moment" a little bit more than usual (I realize that this is something that I should do all of the time, and I'm working on that...cut me some slack!).


Yesterday, while thinking about some of the things that I LOVE about summer, Julie Andrew's voice from The Sound of Music popped into my head:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

(Source)

Then I started thinking about some of MY favorite things...especially about summertime, and I figured that a blog post was in order.  I have labelled this post "Part 1" because, I figure, as the summer progresses I will probably think of more "favorite things" to share with you here on the ABC blog.  I think of today's post as a warm-up for things to come! ;)

(1)  Puppy play dates!

Izzy (short for Isabelle) is an 11 week old Great Dane puppy.  At 5 1/2 months old, our Lola is a big girl for her age and breed, but Izzy gives a whole new meaning to the term!  She will be over 120 pounds once she is fully grown - WOWZA!

Once they got to know one another, Lola and Izzy had a great time together!  For now, Lola is still a little bit bigger than Izzy...but that will quickly change.  I bet that the next time we get them together Izzy will be the same size, if not bigger, than our little girl.  Lola better watch out!  Izzy is one puppy that you definitely want as a friend, not an enemy!

(2) Family vacations in Sandestin, FL.

I just got back from three days in Sandestin with my mom, step-dad, brother, and step-brother.  I purposefully didn't take my camera because I wanted to spend my limited time there focusing on family, fun, and relaxation.  We were a little worried that Tropical Storm Debby was going to ruin everything; but (thankfully) at the last minute, she took a sharp turn to the right and hovered over Jacksonville for almost two days (Bo and Lola didn't have nearly as much fun as I did since they were still stuck at home).  Instead, Destin enjoyed days full of sunshine!

Blessed.

(3) Perfect (and unexpected) gifts for the home from mom.

My mom found this little gem in her local thrift store in Springville, AL.  She knows me so well.  When I look at this little piece on my wall I think of:

my wedding (one of the flowers was in my wedding bouquets);

making a house a home;

the importance of heritage and history;

cozy, comfortable, character-filled spaces.

God willing, one day I hope that I can create an entire home that makes me fill this way.

(4) HUGE plates full of fresh garden vegetables.

Last night I quickly whipped up sauteed crooked neck squash, zucchini, and broccoli, and baked a potato that I topped with Smart Balance and nutritional yeast.  YUMM-O!

(5) True Blood

It's official.  Bo and I are hooked on HBO.  It all started with Game of Thrones, and then about a year ago someone introduced us to True Blood (Yes, it's about vampires/werewolves/fairies/witches/etc.  No, it's not like Twilight.  Yes, I've read almost all of the books that the series is based upon.  No, the "Sookie Stackhouse" book are not nearly as good as the Twilight saga, in my opinion  Oh, and yes, I still love all things Twilight!).  In a span of about four months we caught up on Seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4 so that we would be ready for the Season 5 premiere on June 10th.  Three episodes in and Season 5 of True Blood is better than ever!

If you ask us - bar none - HBO makes the best TV around.

Question of the Day:


What are a few of YOUR favorite (summer) things?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

3-Layer Mexican Casserole

Last night continued my efforts to use up what was in our refrigerator, freezer, and pantry before we leave on our trip.  I almost always have beans and rice on hand, but I wanted to whip up a little more exciting than the boring old staple.  After a brief scavenging around the kitchen, I discovered:

• salsa;
• green chile;
• frozen corn;
• a red bell pepper; and
• Daiya cheese.

Visions of the party-favorite 7-layer dip immediately came to mind.  By my count, I had no where near enough ingredients for seven layers...but an idea had been born, so I rolled with it!  

This is a Mexican-style casserole with a little kick!  If you like heat, go ahead and use "hot" salsa and "hot" green chile.  The final result is creamy, hearty, and as Bo says, "fills you up right!"

3-Layer Mexican Casserole
Serves 4-6

For the Rice Layer:
1 C brown rice
1 3/4 C water
1/2 C salsa (preferably HOT!)

For the Vegetable Layer:
1 C corn
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

For the Bean Layer:
1 can refried beans
1 4 oz. can of hot green chile
1/2-3/4 C Daiya cheese (or other cheese)


Directions:

1. Place the rice and water in a medium saucepan.
2. Boil, reduce to simmer, and allow to cook for 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, mix the refried beans and green chile in a small saucepan over low heat.
4. In a separate pan, saute the corn, bell pepper, salt, pepper, and cumin over medium heat.  Continue cooking until the corn and bell pepper begin to soften and brown slightly.
5. Once the rice is cooked, mix in the salsa.
6. Now you are ready to layer your casserole in a medium/large oiled dish:
1. Place all of the salsa rice in the bottom of the dish.
2. Cover with the vegetable mixture.
3. Spread the bean mixture on top.
4. Sprinkle with cheese.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-12 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Recently, I've been trying to learn more about my camera.  I have been taking it off of "automatic" mode in an effort to take more professional pictures for the blog.  However, a lot of the recipes I end up putting on the blog are cooked in the evening.  Therefore, by the time I need to take pictures, the sun has gone down and I am left without any natural light (which, I have read, is best for quality photography).  Last night I took several with the flash, and several without...but I can't decide which one looks better.  What do you think? (just leave a comment in the "Comments" section below).

With the flash...

Without the flash...

Bo ate his casserole with roasted chicken.  Believe it or not, every bit of this plate was devoured, and later on in the evening he went back for seconds of the casserole.  Today, he asked me if there was any left for lunch...if you ask me, I think he kinda likes this one! :)

FYI - This picture is without the flash.

Next time - I promise you that oatmeal recipe that will keep you full for hours!  And this time, I mean it!

Question of the Day:

What's your favorite throw-together meal?  Or, like most people, do you just get take-out on nights when the refrigerator/pantry are low?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

Senora's Potatoes + Salsa Hummus

On Sunday evening I was in the mood for "breakfast for dinner."  However, this was no ordinary breakfast craving because I wasn't in the mood for pancakes, I wasn't in the mood for French toast, and I wasn't even in the mood for oatmeal or a breakfast casserole (which are both solid standbys in my recipe repertoire).

So, I asked, what was I in the mood for?!

Hashbrowns!

But not just any hashbrowns...I was in the mood for Senora's potatoes.

Who is Senora?  Well, her full name is Senora Lourdes (Lulu) Rodriguez, and she was my family's host when we visited Guanajuato, Mexico numerous times from 2000-2002.  Each time that I, my Pee Paw, my Mee Maw, or my mother (or a combination thereof) made our way down to Guanajuato, we would stay in Senora's home for the duration of our visit.  She served as our "host family" by providing us food, lodging, and a willing individual with whom we could practice our Spanish. 

But Senora was so much more than that!  Our family and hers became close.  For several years our visits were quite regular (every 4-6 months or so).  In fact, during our last visit, Senora gave our family a beautiful piece of art (a sculpture of a native warrior) that would serve as a reminder of our time spent in the beautiful city of Guanajuato. 

On top of all that, Senora was a magnificent cook!  Every meal that we had seemed to top the one before it.  It's amazing that we all didn't gain 10-15 pounds while we were living in her home (then again, I'm sure that had to do with the fact that we walked up and down hill-y streets all. day. long.).

The houses are built into the mountain.



The pathways to homes are very steep and narrow.


My time in Guanajuato has had a profound impact on making me the woman I am today:

• I, in large part, majored in Spanish during my undergraduate degree program because I fell in love with the Spanish language during my time in Mexico;
• I chose to write my graduate degree thesis on Hispanic migrant children in the American public school system because they reminded me of the children's faces in Guanajuato; and
• I worked as a translator throughout my graduate degree program in an effort to serve immigrants in this country while maintaining an advanced level of written and spoken Spanish.

Even now, I jump at any opportunity to use my knowledge of the Spanish language!  What can I say?!  I am a dork who loves to speak Spanish!  :)

Okay, okay...so enough about my past.  You want a recipe, right?!  The following recipe is based off of my memory of how Senora Lulu made breakfast potatoes (i.e. hashbrowns). 

Note: My mom also cooks this recipe, and she does it a little different than I do (i.e. no tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, or cilantro).  I, however, find that these additions take the recipe to the next level!

Senora's Potatoes
Serves 2

1 medium, Russet potato
1/2 red onion
2 large jalapenos (We like it HOT in the Behne house!)
1 yellow bell pepper
2 tomatoes
1 T oil
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
shredded cheese, for garnish
cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

• Place the potato, onion, and jalapeno into the food processor.  Pulse 5-7 times until shredded.

• Place the potato mixture into a heated (medium high), well-oiled skillet; pat into a flat circle.

• Meanwhile, dice the bell pepper and tomato.
• After approximately 4-5 minutes, check if the potato mixture is beginning to brown.  If so, using a spatula, flip section of the hashbrowns so that they can brown on the other side.

• Add bell peppers and tomatoes to the potato mixture.  Cook 2-3 minutes.

• Add seasonings and toss to incorporate.
• Sprinkle cheese on top, cover, and allow to melt.

• Serve with a garnish of cilantro, fried eggs (optional), and a side of salsa hummus (see recipe below).

Now, about that salsa hummus...when I started to make my "Roasted Garlic and Cayenne Hummus" Bo protested because he wanted something different.  So, I asked him what he wanted, and he suggested adding salsa to the mix.  Little did I know that this would turn out to be de-lic-ious!  Without a doubt, this recipe will be added to my regular hummus rotation.

Salsa Hummus
Serves 8-10

1 can great northern beans, drained
2 T tahini
2 T EVOO
4 T medium or hot salsa (we used medium)
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp cayenne

Directions:

• Add all ingredients to your food processor. 
• Whirl for 2 minutes, or until all ingredients are incorporated and the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Up Next - a "blue" book review!  Any guesses to which book I am referring to?!

Question of the Day:

Do you cook any recipes that remind you of a person or a place?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo