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Post by droppedstitch on Apr 30, 2020 10:59:06 GMT -5
This was one of our favorite recipes pre-Chambers. No surprise, it works great in the thermowell! I left the gas on for maybe 30 minutes (this was too long, but I forgot about it until I started smelling it) then gas off for 4 hours. We love having this on weekends—or any day, these days—when we are home all day and having a snacky supper. We will make super nachos and add diced tomato, jalepenos, and queso fresco. The onions and sour cream are definitely worth making. These also make great leftovers, like putting a spoonful over a fried egg.
INGREDIENTS
Bean Ragout: 1 large onion, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tbsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp dried oregano 2 tsp smoked paprika 1 lb (455 grams or 2-1/4 cups) dried black beans, rinsed if not already soaked 1 dried chile (I use japones) 2 tbsp tomato paste 2 tsp table salt 8 to 9 c (2 to 2.5 liters) water or unsalted vegetable or chicken stock 1 tbsp lime juice or sherry vinegar
Garlicky toast: 1 inc thick slices of bread (ciabatta or Texas toast) olive oil table salt 1 large garlic clove, halved (or garlic powder)
Cumin Crema: 1 tsp ground cumin 1 cup sour cream, creme fraiche, or crema mexicana
Lime-pickled red onions: 3+ tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice 1 medium red onion, finely diced table salt
chopped fresh cilantro leaves (or flat-leaf parsley, if you're cilantro-averse) avocado wedges
PREPARATION
to cook the beans: slow-cooker: put all the bean ragout ingredients except lime juice or vinegar in a 6-quart slow-cooker (the slow cooker doesn't care how you layer your ingredients). Cover and cook at high setting until beans are very tender, about 3 hours (in my super-speedy slow-cooker) to 6 hours.
to make the toasts: brush bread with olive oil, and sprinkle lightly with salt. toast bread under the broiler, and as soon as you take it out of the oven, rub it with the raw garlic glove
to make crema: stir together 1 tsp ground cumin with sour cream and set aside
to make lime-pickled red onions: mix the lime juice, onion, and a pinch or 2 of salt in a small dish, and let stand for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. use to garnish black-bean ragout.
once the beans are cooked, stir in the lime juice or vinegar. adjust seasonings to taste. ladle over garlickly toasts and sprinkle with chopped cilantro, cumin crema, and lime-pickled red onions. serve with avocado wedges.
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Post by nana on Apr 30, 2020 18:51:29 GMT -5
MMMMM! I would serve the beans over brown rice. It all sounds like it's right up my alley, except I don't want to go to the store and get bottled water to cook the beans. My well water is so very hard that beans won't fully soften in it. It took me some years to figure out what my problem was, and then I read somewhere that in addition to acidic things and sugary things, hard water can prevent softening. Even adding baking soda doesn't really help, unless you add so much that it affects the flavor.
I haven't been to a big grocery store since before Mar14 when my state shut down. I've been doing home delivery from local farm CSA type things, and using up all the stuff I had squirreled away. I've baked bread, learned that my yogurt culture will also culture heavy cream for the best sour cream ever, I even used my seed starting grow lights to grow a flat of fresh lettuce we've been eating off of for a few weeks now. But distilled water is not a local farm product!
Smoked paprika is like a secret weapon for deviled eggs!
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Post by droppedstitch on Apr 30, 2020 23:31:30 GMT -5
MMMMM! I would serve the beans over brown rice. It all sounds like it's right up my alley, except I don't want to go to the store and get bottled water to cook the beans. My well water is so very hard that beans won't fully soften in it. It took me some years to figure out what my problem was, and then I read somewhere that in addition to acidic things and sugary things, hard water can prevent softening. Even adding baking soda doesn't really help, unless you add so much that it affects the flavor. I haven't been to a big grocery store since before Mar14 when my state shut down. I've been doing home delivery from local farm CSA type things, and using up all the stuff I had squirreled away. I've baked bread, learned that my yogurt culture will also culture heavy cream for the best sour cream ever, I even used my seed starting grow lights to grow a flat of fresh lettuce we've been eating off of for a few weeks now. But distilled water is not a local farm product! Smoked paprika is like a secret weapon for deviled eggs! Impressive job avoiding the grocery store! I need to work on picking a different CSA for this year. The one we had been using got a new head farmer, and it’s just not as good... I discovered smoked paprika a few years ago. It is a game changer for sure! If it seems appropriate, I have started subbing 50/50 with regular paprika.
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Post by nana on May 1, 2020 8:02:34 GMT -5
They just started up a new thing here they call Moxie Box. Local producers, including our favorite local brewery, banded together and you can order and pay online, and if your order is over $30 you get free weekly delivery. So we can now get crowlers of beer delivered to the house. It is indeed an ill wind that blows no good!
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Post by vaporvac on May 1, 2020 12:25:07 GMT -5
We have a store here called Jungle Jim's that has an amazing variety of smoked paprika (and everything else)! The current one I'm using is Vega Caceres. Wonderful! Which are you guys using? Nana, I can't believe how you lucked out on your crowlers!
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Post by droppedstitch on May 1, 2020 12:44:13 GMT -5
I used to work in the craft brewing industry, so crowlers have a special place in my heart.
I use Trader Joe’s smoked paprika. 😂
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Post by nana on May 1, 2020 16:45:40 GMT -5
The kind of smoked paprika I have is called La Chinata. It was the brand they carried at my local co-op the last time I bought it. I didn't know there were varied types to choose from!
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Post by Chuckie on May 1, 2020 18:28:28 GMT -5
They just started up a new thing here they call Moxie Box. Local producers, including our favorite local brewery, banded together and you can order and pay online, and if your order is over $30 you get free weekly delivery. So we can now get crowlers of beer delivered to the house. It is indeed an ill wind that blows no good! And all these years, I thought those jugs of beer you took from a brewery were called " GROWLERS"!! Learn something new daily!! CHEERS! Chuckie
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Post by vaporvac on May 1, 2020 22:01:43 GMT -5
Yes, Nana. There's sweet, smokey, bittersweet and smokey, etc. All the different brands also taste different. I thought I was the only one in love with the Spanish smoked paprika. : -))
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Post by nana on May 2, 2020 6:55:44 GMT -5
The bottles ARE called growlers, Chuckie. You weren't wrong! Crowlers is what they call the 32oz cans a lot of breweries are putting out: And upon close reading of the fine print on my container of smoked paprika, it appears I have the bittersweet variety. I am going to try to get some other kinds when I can, to test them out! So it's still true anyway, Chuckie--you DO learn something new daily!!😀
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Post by Chuckie on May 2, 2020 8:00:26 GMT -5
The bottles ARE called growlers, Chuckie. You weren't wrong! Crowlers is what they call the 32oz cans a lot of breweries are putting out: And upon close reading of the fine print on my container of smoked paprika, it appears I have the bittersweet variety. I am going to try to get some other kinds when I can, to test them out! So it's still true anyway, Chuckie--you DO learn something new daily!!😀 Had never, EVER heard of a "crowler" around these parts, so re-read last line above!! LOL Thanks for enlightening me! And here this old beer sot thought he knew all there WAS to know bout suds!! If I stick around here long enough, perhaps I'll get my DIPLOMA some day!! CHEERS! Chuckie
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Post by mach12 on May 2, 2020 12:09:13 GMT -5
I'd never heard of crowlers either (nor has my spell-check). I did a search and there's a bunch of info on it but it's going to take some time to sort it out. Might need to grab one for research purposes. My grandfather used to complain that it took him several years to learn how to say jam and now they change it to yelley. This fits that saying.
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Post by droppedstitch on May 2, 2020 23:18:16 GMT -5
I'd never heard of crowlers either (nor has my spell-check). I did a search and there's a bunch of info on it but it's going to take some time to sort it out. Might need to grab one for research purposes. My grandfather used to complain that it took him several years to learn how to say jam and now they change it to yelley. This fits that saying. Noble research.
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Post by pooka on May 3, 2020 13:06:07 GMT -5
In life, there is no Diploma. Only endless advanced research. Some pay attention, other are just in it for the parties. As we learn though, we can also teach. I used to say I'm a student of life. You have to just let it wash over you, & take notes as it goes by. Now & then, a juicy bit goes by, & you have to zero in on for more clarity. If you're lucky, now & then you have a revelation. Some time ago, I posted about a story about the Dali Lama visiting Santa Fe. He went up to a moutain ski resort because it reminded him of home. Anyway, a waitress apologetically ask him what was the secret of life? the following is from the article.
In my entire week with the Dalai Lama, every conceivable question had been asked—except this one. People had been afraid to ask the one—the really big—question. There was a brief, stunned silence at the table.
The Dalai Lama answered immediately. “The meaning of life is happiness.” He raised his finger, leaning forward, focusing on her as if she were the only person in the world. “Hard question is not, ‘What is meaning of life?’ That is easy question to answer! No, hard question is what make happiness. Money? Big house? Accomplishment? Friends? Or …” He paused. “Compassion and good heart? This is question all human beings must try to answer: What make true happiness?” He gave this last question a peculiar emphasis and then fell silent, gazing at her with a smile.
True happiness can be illusive. I settle for contentment. If I find a little happiness along the way, I won't turn it down. I argue ours our stoves are along that path. They say happiness starts at home, & the hearth is the center of the home. Our stoves are the modern day equivalent. Good food certainly is literal food for the soul. It's tough to be unhappy with a full belly. I've been watching A program where they're looking back at Julia Child first cooking shows that were such a turning point for home cooks. She showed us it was OK to enjoy the process, & if you aren't having a good time at it, you were doing something wrong. It needn't be the drudge it was often billed as. Her prophetic words were, "if I can do it, so can you, & here's how". She wasn't a naturally good cook. In fact, she was pretty bad at it on her own. She studied hard to become the patron saint of the kitchen we all grew to love. I've often wondered what she would think of our beloved Chambers.
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Post by vaporvac on May 3, 2020 13:19:26 GMT -5
I think she used the stovetop version on one of her shows.
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Post by pooka on May 3, 2020 13:20:54 GMT -5
Yeah, she did.
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Post by nana on May 4, 2020 7:22:46 GMT -5
Yum! I made a version of this last night using a can of black beans and adjusting amounts and cooking time, but keeping the same flavor profile. We served it over brown rice. Garlic, cumin, oregano and a little heat are all pretty common rice-n-beans seasonings, but the smoked Paprika really brought it to a new level! I can't believe it never occurred to me to try it before! One of my grandson's favorite meals is rice and beans and I think next time he asks for it I will make this version for him. When all this virus stuff is over, I mean. For me that has been the very hardest part--not being able to cuddle and snuggle with the grandkids. My daughter is immune compromised and we are being super careful with her!
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Post by droppedstitch on May 4, 2020 23:36:44 GMT -5
So pleased that you enjoyed it!! There is something so comforting about a simple meal like this. I met a neighbor earlier today, and we shook hands out of habit. We both felt awkward and flustered afterwards. I know things will be different for quite some time, but I am looking forward to enjoying some of the simple things again with less worry.
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Post by nana on May 6, 2020 6:59:11 GMT -5
I know. The new normal stinks. But I prefer social distancing and mask wearing to mass death, so I try do the right thing for me, my family, and my community. I wish everyone would, though. I still see people who won't wear a mask, or won't wear it properly and it bothers me so much. My mask protects you, and your mask protects me. When people are not wearing one in public or in stores I think to myself either they are either ignorant, or thoughtless, and I avoid them, please excuse the expression, like the plague!
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Post by vaporvac on May 6, 2020 14:23:34 GMT -5
Maybe if they realized it does provide some protection to the user they'd be more apt to wear them. I think they never promoted that to encourage hand-washing and social distancing. Transplant patients are required to wear them post-surgery to protect themselves, not others, so they're doing something for the wearer. I just wave at my neighbors and friends and keep a wide berth. It is annoying to have to go to the grocery store knowing half the folks there won't be wearing a mask.
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Post by droppedstitch on May 7, 2020 18:45:01 GMT -5
I know. The new normal stinks. But I prefer social distancing and mask wearing to mass death, so I try do the right thing for me, my family, and my community. I wish everyone would, though. I still see people who won't wear a mask, or won't wear it properly and it bothers me so much. My mask protects you, and your mask protects me. When people are not wearing one in public or in stores I think to myself either they are either ignorant, or thoughtless, and I avoid them, please excuse the expression, like the plague! So true! And wearing a mask is a sign of solidarity—I will do what it takes to keep my community healthy.
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Post by nana on May 8, 2020 8:58:50 GMT -5
I see what's happening on the federal level: a complete abdication of responsibility and zero competence, coupled with overweening arrogance and disregard for scientific facts. Then I look at states taking their cue from that stew of ignorance and immorality and I truly fear we are becoming a third world country right before my eyes. Maybe all those people will not die, but the virus has shown no sign of being willing to spare you because of your political beliefs. And to say we are "warriors" and have to accept some death in order to preserve the economy? Cannon fodder is more like it. We are not warriors in this scenario, we are more like the waves of men thrown into trench warfare in WWI or the soldiers in the Iraq war sent into battle with inadequate armor, expendable pawns. Many of these deaths he seems so willing to accept are not inevitable. They could be prevented if there was a coherent and effective national response including testing, tracing and quarantine.
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Post by mach12 on May 8, 2020 10:52:01 GMT -5
Nana, I'm a retired senior government employee. I served worldwide, including diplomatic positions, and years assigned to combat units - in combat - and did everything I could to honor my oath of office, which incidentally was near identical to the oath I took and served in the Navy during the Vietnam "conflict". I try not to be offended easily but when someone paints all government officials with the same brush it's hard not to be offended. And I may or may not care for an elected person but when someone is elected to a position through our election process I'll serve them to the best of my ability because that's the oath I took. And I keep my word.
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Post by nana on May 8, 2020 20:59:59 GMT -5
No offense meant to all the hard working and honest people who serve and have served our country now and through the years, and certainly that includes you Mach12. I'm talking about the leadership, or lack thereof at the very top. I know there are literally thousands of folks doing their level best in all kinds of positions. But we are only as strong as the weakest link in the chain.
You'll notice I said 'he', not 'they'. If I'm being too political, I apologize and will try to be more circumspect.
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Post by pooka on May 9, 2020 3:33:01 GMT -5
I fear this is going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better. With all the nuts clamoring to reopen by demonstrating, or the crazed preachers looking for their fifteen minutes of fame by insisting on gathering in large groups despite the fact we know that's the worst thing you can do. Willful ignorance & plain stupidity, plus people playing politics with lives have become the order of the day. To top it off, any leadership by our would be leaders is totally lacking. I've read about the Spanish flu, & if that episode is any indication of what we have in store, I'm downright fearful. After the first wave of cases when they thought they had it under control. The second wave saw five times the death rate. This event is going to turn the whole world upside down. Nothing will be the same from here out. How the chips fall are anybodies guess. We can only hope for the best. For the most part, those who work government jobs are there to do their work like anybody else. They do what they're told & follow the rules they're given. They aren't the villain of this story. Some see any government people as lackeys of our corruptible politicians. As they say, a fish rots from the head down. And this fish is pretty ripe. If you believe all the news & the other sources, there are devils & bandits & assorted bad guys behind every rock & tree & lurking in every shadow ready to pounce when you least expect. You'd go mad trying to keep up with the latest juicy conspiracy or scandal. Unfortunately far too many are sheep who follow the loudest voices. We've got a cacophony of lies & distortion flooding the airwaves along with the truth. It's no wonder America is so fractured. I don't think we ever recovered trust in the government since Nixon. There have been numerous step down this road that's led us to where we are. I hate to admit it, but I feel ashamed as an American. All these woes before the pandemic that have made it worse are self inflicted wounds. Americans did this to ourselves through our apathy by not voting & not holding our elected official accountable. We've been contented to do our own thing, meanwhile rot as gotten into the belfry. It's nobodies fault. It's everybody's fault. Pic a side. As time goes by, all I can do is throw up my hands & shake my head. Where do you go when the truth becomes just a lie in disguise. I don't think we're headed for any kind of revolution or civil war. The only ones who think that way are few & far between, but have outsized voices thanks to the internet & media. Some are just misguided folks who are lost in a mishmash of competing voice making them crazy.
I don't know. I'm just a talking head shouting at a hurricane.It's enough to make you want to crawl in a hole, & pull it in with you. But we all have to endure it after a fashion as best we can. We can't choose the times we live in. We just have to live it, one day at a time. This piece struck me recently. It's from a speech Lincoln gave in 1838 that first got him wider attention. This one section gives me pause amide the discordance of today. Although the issue at the time was slavery, He also touches on respecting the rule of law later.
Excerpt of Abraham Lincoln's Lyceum Address
At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it?-- Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!--All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years.
At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.
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Post by nana on May 9, 2020 8:26:50 GMT -5
Wise words from a wise man, Pooka. Did you ever read that old comic strip, Pogo? I'm not sure if it was the originator of this quote, but I think it was Pogo who said, "We have met the enemy, and he is us." It was in reference to the environment, as I remember, but it definitely has the same meaning as what Lincoln said.
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Post by pooka on May 9, 2020 13:52:58 GMT -5
I didn't read Pogo, because it wasn't carried by our local newspaper, but I've seen the poster that had that quote. I've discover through life experience that many of our woes are self inflicted, although most won't admit it. Lack of good sense & educating is a point of pride to some idiots. Ignorant masses are easy prey for unscrupulous manipulators in government, religion & by con men & the various flim flam artists that seen to abound, especially in trying times. I read the news & think there's no hope for mankind. We seem destined to be the author of our own destruction. I heard George Carlin recently on a promo that he had a front row seat the the greatest freak show on earth. All he had to do is sit back & take notes. I try to laugh, but really. I just want to scream in anguish. It's like being on a run away train headed for a cliff. All the doors are locked & there are no brakes. There's no escape & no recourse. I feel there is no hope, yet I feel there surely must be.
There was a point in the American revolution when Washington's generals were ready to revolt against congress & the populous for not being payed & other grievances. Washington got word of it & allowed them to meet to contemplate a course of action. He showed up unannounced & uninvited. He gave an address imploring them not to do something they may regret. Afterwards, he felt like he didn't reach them, so he continued in saying he had a letter from a congress saying there could be a deal in time, but he struggled to read the small text. He reached into his pocket to retrieve a pair of glasses that were new to him. He spoke these immortal words, "Gentlemen," said Washington, "you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country." In a moment he had embarrassed many to tears of shame. He read the letter & left. The group moved to scrap the revolt & the rest is history. Disaster evaded by shaming his detractors.
In this day & age is it even possible to shame the naysayer & enemies of order. There seem to be those who want to take control & or burn the place down around us. Unfortunately, we have no grey haired old man with bad eyes to shame them into submission now. I've heard John Cleese say more than once that he want to write a book called "There Is No Hope". He says it half serious, half tongue in cheek. I'm not looking for a shining white knight to save the day, but it's tough to have hope in these bleak days. Sometimes you just have to reach into the songbook for something to rip your heart out about being hopelessly trapped. Then you think, well maybe we don't have it so bad. Once you've dried your eyes, let Paul McCartney sooth you with a song inspired by a dream he had of his mother who was named Mary. There is nothing more calming than a mother saying everything is going to be alright. Even if it is a lie.
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Post by nana on May 9, 2020 19:30:06 GMT -5
Maybe not a lie, but a wish...
I never heard that Patty Loveless song before, but it's heartbreaking. And that story about George Washington is enlightening. Wasn't that what ended Senator McCarthy's reign of terror? Someone called him out on the Senate floor and told him "Have you no shame?" I don't know if Joe McCarthy ever found a sense of shame or honor, but it seemed to have woken the rest of them out of their daze. You can't shame the shameless, though, I guess.
I just saw on the news that there are positive cases in the White House. Maybe now they'll take it seriously?
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Post by pooka on May 10, 2020 2:13:36 GMT -5
A hoped for wish perhaps. Patty didn't write it, even though her family was connected to the coal mines. Hers is the most heart wrenching version I think. I haven't followed any music trends in years, but I ran across this gem somewhere. I then searched out other versions. According to Wikipedia, there are eleven different covers of it. Yeah, A Navy valet. This is going to be a wild ride, unfortunately not in a good way. At work, we're supposed to open back up to 50% capacity Monday. They issued us face masks Friday with the store logo. The weird thing is, it was slow at first during the shut down. It picked up after a week or so, & we've been doing record sales without the dining room thanks to online ordering, Grubhub & DoorDash.
I'm not looking forward to the restart, but the isolation is a bit grating even on me. I've only been going to & from work, & to the grocery a couple of times. Plus the gas station for sodas & smokes about once a week.
Senator McCarthy was just overly ambitious & communism was his hook, but he took it too far & went after someone he'd agreed to leave alone. That's why the other senator said " Have you no shame".
I got the quote wrong, but close enough.
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Post by nana on May 11, 2020 12:18:29 GMT -5
"You've done enough..." Why does it always take too long to realize that?
Decency is a more positive sounding concept than shame, but also more subjective, I think. But a powerful quote all the same. Thanks for finding the clip!
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