February 27th, 2006, 4:32 pm
Laura’s lunchbox (and breakfast box, and dinner box)
Here are some things that have been sneaking out of my kitchen recently:
Black bean tacos, with tomatillo salsa, cotija, feta & spinach
Method: This is a variation on my cook-em-24-hours black beans recipe from the More Humans party, using canned instead of dried beans for expediency. Saute: onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, add in some chopped chipotles in adobo sauce, some Guinness, canned beans, and the secret ingredient (a tiny cube of bitter chocolate), cook until liquid has evaporated and beans are yummy.
Verdict: Yummy and relatively fast, but the 24-hour version is better.
Mexican bagel and lox
Method: Since there was no food in my house, I improvised with a Mex version of the bagel & lox. Smoked and grilled salmon, grilled arugula & onions, feta & cotija and capers combined to make brunch tacos.
Verdict: For a no-food in the house meal, this was delish. Maybe next time it’d be good on a bagel.
Lamb, Greek Potatoes & Super Salad
Method: Um, this is going to sound repetitive. Lamb marinated in lemon juice, garlic, EVOO, cumin, oregano & grilled. Sliced potatoes and onions, baked for an hour with lemon juice, garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and EVOO. Arugula/spinach salad with strawberries and feta.
Verdict: I rule! Cumin rocks on lamb, who knew? Potaotes took about an hour, but they were worth it. And I’m in love with the salad.
Birthday brunch: grilled buffalo, machengo & spinach eggs, oranges & Guinness
Method: Practically none. Buffalo steak was grilled with pepper; eggs slow-scrambled for lusciousness with shredded machengo cheese & spinach. Oranges sliced. Beers drank.
Verdict: Awesome. No edits.
February 27th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
Totally Unsolicited Outside Opinion:
The Mexican bagel & lox kicked ass.
Lamb & taters = awesome. ‘Nuff said, I mean, you’re looking at the same thing I’m looking at right? Salad was good. For a salad.
Eating buffalo with a woman is the greatest. Not only are you eating buffalo but you get to eat all the fat she’s too… well, girly to eat. Buffalo fat is the greatest. Its chewy and salty and probably healthier than most meat you’d find at the supermarket. I thought the eggs were just ok but that’s only because I have no culture and prefer greasy spoon, Waffle House type scrambled eggs. Any palate with an ounce of class would have prefered these eggs. And Guinness, at breakfast, who could ask for more?
February 27th, 2006 at 5:10 pm
The beans in the tacos are not for the faint of heart (not that beans should ever be eaten by somebody with a faint heart). They are spicy, due no doubt to the presence of the chipotle sauce and chili powder. But Mexican food should have a kick and the spice is what seperates these beans from your average, boring beans. The tomatilla salsa, meanwhile, soothes the tongue while the cilantro cools it. Overall, a good quick and easy meal. Well done Laura.
February 27th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Well, all I can say is this post reminds me of that commercial for those TV dinners with the guy from Happy Days, where the people complain the dinner is too big so he always invites himself and his family over…um wait, I’m not comparing your cooking to a TV dinner… and you’re probably too young to remember Happy Days… ok, think back to that Weezer video ‘Buddy Holly’…sigh, I’m rambling again.
The moral of my comment, if there is one, is that the next time I find myself in Atlanta (well, other than a pitstop in the airport), set another plate, please.
February 28th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
It all looks absolutely delectable. The beans, my dear, were totally worth it. If I could rewind and live my twenties over again, I would have cooked more and taken more pictures of my food. For real. You, baby girl, are my hero.
Asada, soon.
March 1st, 2006 at 4:55 pm
Looking at this pic still makes me sad that I had two pieces of pizza before I went to Laura’s. I was full when I arrived, but I was temped and lucky enough to be able to try one of these black bean tacos. It was delectable, and the flavor of the black beans was robust and spicy. The tomatillo salsa and cheese were also wonderful. I can’t wait to try more.