Ides of March Black Beans with Vegetables and Quinoa

Julius Caesar was stabbed to death 2055 years ago. It's incredible to me that such an historically distant event could have enough cultural significance as to admit of reference without elaboration. But of course there are tons of similar examples. The continuity of tradition.

I have to study for a modal logic midterm tomorrow, so this recipe's gonna be sketchy. I've been able to cook kidney and navy beans and chickpeas satisfactorily, but for some reason dry black beans resist me. Even after an overnight soak and 2 1/2 hours on the stove they were a bit starchy/hard.

makes approx. 3 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. black beans

4 c. water

1/2 c. quinoa

1 c. water

bagful of kale, leaves torn and stems chopped

1 Satina potato, peeled and cubed

1 c. frozen sweet corn

5 shallots, diced

coconut oil

water

agave nectar

salt

ground black pepper

cumin

coriander

sherry

hot sauce

DIRECTIONS:

1. Soak the beans overnight. Simmer for at least 2 1/2 hours.

2. Sauté the shallots in coconut oil in a large pan. Add the kale stems.

3. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Cook potato until tender.

4. Add corn and kale leaves to the pan. In a measuring cup, mix water, agave nectar, and seasoning. Pour into pan with sherry and cover.

5. Simmer quinoa for 15 min.

6. Uncover pan and add potato. Heat through.

Real bad news for people who resist animal oppression. As if there weren't enough reasons to hate the prison-industrial complex. The government better get wise to the fact that this level of repression is going to come back to bite them.

(UPDATE 3/16/11: My favorite song is appropriate for the occasion.)

Daylight Savings Stew

Daylight Savings Time. Why does it exist? I don't like it. It always takes me like a week to get around to resetting clocks, so several times a day I get temporally disoriented.

The above photo doesn't look particularly appetizing, does it? The stew tastes pretty good, though, promise. I should have let the vegetables simmer a bit before adding the lentils.

makes approx. 4-5 servings

INGREDIENTS:

3 red onions, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 Satina potatoes, cubed

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

1/2 large parsnip, peeled and chopped

1/2 beet, peeled and cubed

4 c. water

1 c. red lentils

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 tsp. thyme

1/2 tsp. sage

1/2 tsp. tarragon

1/4 tsp. paprika

salt and pepper, to taste

red wine vinegar

canola oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion in oil. Add garlic, followed by potatoes, carrot, parsnip, and beet as you finish preparing them. Splash with red wine vinegar and let the vegetables cook for a few minutes.

2. Add water and seasonings. Cover, bring to a boil. Partially uncover and lower to a simmer.

3. Add red lentils. Simmer for 30 min.

If you're interested in learning about the locations fur farms and suppliers in the US, please download The Blueprint.

Presidents Day Roots and Tubers

 

Thanks for the day off, presidents. Doesn't mean I owe you shit.

There's nothing playing the role of dead animal in this meal. Just mashed potatoes and baked vegetables. Simple, hearty, and flavorful.

makes approx. 2-3 servings

INGREDIENTS:

5 Satina potatoes, partially skinned and chopped into large chunks

3 cloves garlic

1 Tbsp. Earth Balance

mylk

paprika and parsley, to taste

1 carrot, chopped

1 parsnip, chopped

1 beet, skinned and cubed

1 cabbage, chopped

olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. Line a pan with parchment paper. Fill with chopped vegetables, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 min., toss, bake another 20 min.

3. In a large pot, cover potatoes and garlic with water. Bring to a boil, cook over medium heat for 15 min. or so, until potatoes are nice and tender.

4. In a mixing bowl, mash the potatoes and garlic with margarine. Add mylk a little at a time, until the potatoes are creamy. Stir in salt, pepper, paprika, and parsley.

I haven't talked with anyone about what's been going on in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, and Wisconsin. Pretty incredible. At the slightest indication of revolution in Providence I'll be in the street with a brick. (Not that revolution's brewing in Wisconsin, but one can dream.)