Pinto Bean Blondies
Who’s the official wackypants in your family? I know you have one – I’m pretty sure it’s a rule of nature.
You know who I’m talking about: that uncle, cousin, sibling, what have you that shows up to family functions wearing a pirate costume and speaking in Klingon? Or maybe a particular parental unit who insists on a quick line dance when the Muzak version of Katy Perry’s latest comes on in the lobby of your local bank.
“I kissed a teller and I liked it… ” (No, I am NOT the official wackypants of my family.)
I have a personal theory that this wacky behavior is disguising sheer genius. I developed this theory from studying my own family’s official wackypants, Aunt S.
Aunt S. enjoys rosé wine, Hawaiian folk music, and Maroon 5′s Adam Levine. Not necessarily in that order. Preferably all at once.
Aunt S. has been inspiring and confounding since I was wee.
Aunt S. is responsible for the brilliance that is these Pinto Bean Blondies.
All hail Aunt S.
Aunt S. and I communicate via the written word (because texting, emailing and phoning are all just too normal) so I wasn’t surprised to receive this latest letter. There was chit chat, there was family news, and then there was a brief mention of ‘Blonde Brownies’. Aunt S. made hers for a friendly gathering out of only 1 can of pinto beans, puréed, and 1 box mix of Pineapple Supreme Cake.
Liking stuff from scratch a little more and pineapple a little less, I decided to make a few adjustments. But the seed was planted. That ingenious little seed.
Lime Nut Coconut Bark
It’s Wednesday. Let’s make some candy!
The truth is that I’m not a super huge candy person. I’d much rather shove a cupcake or a donut into my face. But if I am going to reach for candy, it’s going to be something rustic and simple like a brittle or a nice piece of bark.
And since it’s warm out and I’ve got beaches on the brain, I’m pretty sure it’s time for some sweet, substantive, flavored cocada.
Don’t get me wrong: Snickers, Junior Mints and Reese’s definitely have a place in the pantheon of Sweets Excellence. I just personally prefer the flavor-popping excellence that can only come from homemade candy.
Plus, when you go homemade you’re in the driver’s seat, which is always nice.
Today we’re steering towards sweet coconut and lime. Because the sun is shining. Because my bathing suit has been unmothballed. Because I’ve started hinting to A. about trips to the shore.
It must be summertime. We’re going to need snacks.
Cowboy Beans
If I was rewriting the lyrics to “I’d Like To Give The World A Coke”, I’m pretty sure it would go something like this:
I’d like to give the world a good, solid, go-to bean recipe.
Soaked overnight, seasoned and flavored.
And, of course, spiced up with a few fresh chiles.
That’s the real thing.
Can’t you just hear it in your head? I can.
Mexican Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes
Ah, vacations… why do you dog me out so?
You’re always amazing on the front end, but the back end? Not so much.
So when I awake this morn, surrounded by mountains of laundry, messy suitcases, stacks of messages to return, and a fridge to clean out, what is the correct way to approach?
Breeze past the apocalypse that is my house and spend the day making cupcakes. Duh.
It’s not that the tasks and chores themselves are so incredibly daunting, it’s the mental process of coming down off of the high of a vacation. Don’t you agree? The process of actually making your brain work differently again.
Your days are no longer about choosing between piña coladas and margaritas. Sorry.
Now it’s commutes and carpool. Bill-paying and boss-emailing. Laundry and lame pre-summer movies.
Woe.
Roasting Chiles & A Lasagna
We roast a lot of chiles in this kitchen: it just seems like the right thing to do. A perfectly roasted chile can add depth of flavor to just about any dish, with the bonus being the intense, earthy aroma that will permeate the air and get your salivary glands going in all the right ways. Hundreds [...]
Milk Bar Mondays: Goat Cheese Frozen Yogurt
Today’s post is the story of Momofuku Milk Bar’s Chèvre Frozen Yogurt with Beet-Lime Ganache & Pistachio Crunch, and I totally know what you’re thinking right now: “Really, Milk Bar? You couldn’t come up with anything even a little bit original? Way to drive me right back into the frosty embrace of 51 Flavors.” Yes, this is likely [...]
Peanut & Árbol Salsa
I know you’re super busy today, getting ready for Cinco de Mayo, the Derby and any other weekend shenanigans you might have planned, so I’ll keep it short. I made a spicy peanut salsa. I’m making this spicy peanut salsa a part of my weekend plans. I’m pretty sure you should too. Here’s why:
Ultimate Rice Pudding
I like to exercise. I really do. The problem arises when the body requests a change-up in the old exercise routine. I learned from my team athletics days that this will, inevitably, occur from time to time; the muscles become trained, the brain becomes bored, and it becomes necessary to seek out a new physical [...]
It’a A Cinco De Mayo Fiesta!
Hey, you! There’s a party happening in this casa and you’re invited! No cover charge, no wristband required, and you don’t even need to bring a salad or dessert. Today, we’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo and I’m pulling out all the stops. So get in here and grab a plate! Today’s menu was inspired by [...]
Guacamole & The Premiere Of The S. Bakes Show
Woah, friends. These be exciting times. Today I’m serving up my absolute favorite recipe for one of my absolute favorite dishes ever: fresh guacamole. And I’m bringing it to you live and in color! Get ready for some luscious avocados, bright cilantro, and a few nervous hand quivers (short of that dusty old footage of me [...]
Amazing! Impossible! Chocoflan!
Did you ever attend one of those birthday parties where the featured entertainment was a wacky performing magician? You know, pulling quarters from behind peoples’ ears and extracting rabbits from top hats? I haven’t been to one in a while… perhaps they’re now pulling credit cards from behind ears and iPhones from top hats. (M.! [...]
Margarita Cupcakes
Some days you feel like a margarita. Some days you feel like a cupcake. Well, I guess you can call me Babe Ruth because today I’ve got all the bases covered. I never really thought much about curds until I moved to the southwest and was literally surrounded by citrus. When there’s such an abundance [...]
Roasting Tomatoes
We roast a lot of tomatoes in our kitchen. When the springtime crop of tomatoes is on and popping, I frankly don’t know why everyone isn’t roasting tomatoes. Don’t get me wrong, fresh tomatoes have a very special place in the culinary pantheon. But roasting really brings the sweet flavor of the fruit home by [...]
Home Fries In Orange Salsa
Dear Breakfast, I love you. I think you’re really special and I enjoy spending time with you. You always start my day off right. After spending time with you, I feel ready to take on the world. You’re so great for my confidence.
