Hearty Meals for Heavy Times

One of the first items I noticed disappearing from grocery store shelves when this crisis began was beans. Canned beans, dried beans, they were all gone. Seems like everybody got the same memo and decided to buy beans in bulk. That means many of you have tons of beans sitting in your pantry and you’re probably wondering what to do with all of them. Beans … Continue reading Hearty Meals for Heavy Times

Black bean, sweet potato, and corn hash

This recipe came together using food I usually keep on hand in my pantry, fridge, and freezer. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and savory as well as refreshing thanks to the lime and cilantro. It’s vegan and gluten-free It’s high in protein and fiber as well. I sometimes eat this as a meal, but it can easily be served over your favorite rice or … Continue reading Black bean, sweet potato, and corn hash

Quick Frijoles Negros / Cuban Black Beans

More often than not, I don’t have the time or the foresight to soak dried beans overnight and cook them for 6-8 hours the next day like my grandmother used to. This recipe tastes like you’ve been slaving away all day in the kitchen, but is quick and easy enough to cook on a work night. When I moved out on my own, the first recipe I … Continue reading Quick Frijoles Negros / Cuban Black Beans

Cuban Congri – Rice and Black Beans

This dish goes by a few different names, depending on which part of Cuba your family came from, but in my household we always called it congri. Congri is one of the few Cuban specialties that is traditionally vegan, although some restaurants add pork fat, so always ask and check. This dish, where you cook the beans and the rice together, results in a greyish rice … Continue reading Cuban Congri – Rice and Black Beans

Vegan Chili con Kinda Carne

I woke up this morning and it was snowing unexpectedly, and I immediately thought, I should make chili today. Something about chili makes you feel warm and cozy inside. This recipe packs a lot of heat and smokiness that is sure to do just that thanks to the mixture of herbs and spices. Spices affect your palate and senses differently, that’s why I like to … Continue reading Vegan Chili con Kinda Carne

Vegan Cornbread Muffins

I love cornbread with holiday meals, and I especially love them with chili. This is a very standard recipe that I got from an old Good Housekeeping cookbook and experimented with egg and dairy alternatives until I felt like I got it just right. The reason I chose light tasting olive oil for this recipe is because it helps the edges crisp so that the … Continue reading Vegan Cornbread Muffins

The Best Damn Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!

When I first told my oldest friend that I was “going Vegan” she asked me “What are you going to do about all the baking you like to do? How do you bake without eggs and dairy?” After a short pause, since I wasn’t 100% sure at the time, my reply was I’d figure it out. I’m happy to report the transition from vegetarian to … Continue reading The Best Damn Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!

Black Eyed Peas aka Hoppin’ John

Happy New Year! Celebrating the turning of the page of the calendar fills most of us with hope, ambition and the intangible feeling of what could be. It allows us to dream big and make promises to ourselves and to others without our usual skepticism or cynicism. Oh the possibilities! The truth is every new day is an opportunity to get closer to a goal, make progress towards a dream, … Continue reading Black Eyed Peas aka Hoppin’ John

Smoky Sweet Potato Grits

I didn’t grow up eating grits. Though I grew up in  what could be considered the South geographically speaking, south Florida couldn’t be further from what most people would consider the South culturally. In fact the further north in Florida you go, the closer you get to actually experiencing southern culture, which includes of course, southern cuisine. Occasionally my grandparents ate grits, but I never did as … Continue reading Smoky Sweet Potato Grits