Just veggin' in Texas
 
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Shiner Bock Black Beans

Black beans are the perfect stand alone dinner or side addition for a bigger meal. I have been working and adjusting this recipe for years to create the perfect black bean recipe for eating on their own or using in other recipes. The Shiner Bock adds a richer flavor to the beans. These are kind of spicy but not too spicy. Spice them up or down as you like. This is perfect for a weeknight dinner with a green salad or fruit and a country bread loaf picked up from the local bakery department. Cook longer or shorter depending on how soft you like your beans. These are even better after sitting in the fridge for a day. Add whatever toppings you like but I like Mexican cheese like Queso Fresco or Cotija, avocado, tomatoes and cilantro. Don’t forget to buy extra Shiner Bock to go with dinner!

Shiner Bock and Black Beans

East Texas Blackberry Cobbler

Summers in East Texas, hot sandy soil seeping into once white tennis shoes. Even my toughened Texas feet, accustomed to the burning pavement and parched grass, sought relief from the searing summer sun. The blackberries love the Texas sun, ripening to a deep purple from their tiny pink beginnings. We braved the sun, bugs and briars to gather the blackberries, anticipating the sweet reward of Memau’s blackberry cobbler.

My Memau wasn’t much of a cook. She was too busy sewing and playing with her grand kids. Daily trips to the farm to pick the summer harvest, bean bushes drooping under the weight of lima beans, butter beans and pole beans. Tomatoes ready to burst on the vine. My favorite was always picking the blackberries that grew along the Red River bank on my grandfathers land. They were the challenge with the greatest reward. Hot blackberry cobbler topped with cream, the sweet tart flavors mixing with the soothing cream. Hot and cool all at the same time.

Memau made hers with store bought pie crust to save time but I like my version, a thicker crust with a cinnamon sugar topping that mingles with the berries. This is super easy to throw together at the end of a busy day. Serve with cream for a soothing end to the day or Bluebell Homemade Vanilla ice cream for an extra sweet dessert, suitable for company or a backyard summer feast.

blackberry cobbler picture

 

Vegetarian Chili

Whether looking for an easy fix and forget crockpot dinner or a dish to warm to soul and spirit on a chili winter day, this chili has the spice and flavor to feed a hungry family or one with leftovers. If you want to get fancy, you can start with mixed dry beans to add and extra step but the canned beans are easy and make this a really quick dish. Cook it in a big pot on the stove and at is ready as soon as it is bubbly and heated through or let simmer longer to let the flavors mingle. This is perfect served with a salad or a whole grain loaf of peasant bread.

Vegetarian Chili with cilantro and cotija cheese

Easy Cheesy Broccoli Quiche

I love quiche, especially the quiches (is that a word?!) like my mom used to make. I always think of quiche as fancy and difficult but really it is super simple and perfect for a busy night when you need to finish some after hours work, write a blog post or feed starving kids when they walk in the door. (Mine are always super hangry when they get home from after school sports and activities. All that stuff makes you HUNGRY!) This super easy quiche is loaded with protein and healthy vitamin packed broccoli. And so yummy your kids might even eat it! You can always play with the veggies you use.

Broccoli Quiche picture

Rainbow Honey Lime Cilantro Slaw

Rainbow Honey Lime Cilantro Slaw

So some people just really love cilantro and some people just really hate cilantro. I hear it’s genetic. To those unlucky ones who think cilantro tastes like soap, this may not be the recipe for you. Or leave out the cilantro. For the rest of us, this is some yummy slaw. You can spiralize or shred the veggies however you like. It’s best if it gets some alone time in the fridge – like I need some alone time in a warm bath with epsom salts and lavendar before the dinner crowd arrives.

 

 

Tall Texan Baked Black Bean Burgers

Black bean burgers perfect for a summer backyard party. Who says you need meat for a backyard barbeque! These Tall Texan Black Bean Burgers are baked to be healthier and hearty enough to fill the hungriest guest. Use canned beans to make the recipe quick and simple or use black beans from my Shiner Bock Black Bean Recipe. If using the Shiner Bock Black Beans, refry and mash half of the beans in the skillet with the onions, carrots and garlic. Either way they are sure to please even the tallest Texan! These can also be cooked in oil in a skillet for a crispier but less healthy version. Enjoy!

black bean burger