Have some people to feed? Not in the mood to spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Have no desire to go to the grocery store? Here are a few VERY quick recipes using foods that you probably have in your kitchen cupboards right now.
Cuban Black Beans
Ingredients:
2 cups finely chopped vegetables (onions, peppers, garlic, scallions, carrots, mushrooms, really whatever’s in the fridge that needs to be used up)
2 cans of black beans, undrained (or white beans, kidney beans, chickpeas…)
Choose as many flavorings as your family likes: cumin, oregano, maple syrup, garlic, vinegar, cilantro, Sazon, soy sauce, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, etc…
Directions:
Chop vegetables small and sauté them on medium heat in a pot with a little oil.
After about 10 minutes, add the black beans and the flavorings.
Taste and adjust flavorings and then simmer over low heat for 15 minutes or so. You may need to add a little water at this point.
Serve with rice and a vegetable and grated cheese on the side.
Enjoy!
Note: To convert this recipe to a soup, puree one of the cans of beans and add additional water. Flavoring may need to be adjusted.
Quick Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
A pound of whatever pasta you have on hand, cooked till just done and then cooled.
3 cups of vegetables (cucumbers, carrots, celery, olives, tomatoes, peppers, etc…)
Optional protein chunks (swiss, cheddar, mozzarella cheese, turkey, ham, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, marinated tofu, etc…)
Literally any salad dressing you find in the fridge (one that everyone can agree on!)
Salt and pepper to taste, plus any other herbs you like
Directions:
Combine all ingredients
Enjoy!
Note: It’s best if you can make this a few hours before serving. This recipe makes a BIG bowl of pasta salad and is great as leftovers!
Some other quick ideas you probably don’t even need a recipe for:
English muffin or bagel pizza
Quesadillas
Tuna melts
Grilled cheese
Tacos
What is working for your family in the kitchen these days? We’d love to hear what you’re making or what kind of recipes you’d like to see from the Farm & Wilderness team. In the meantime, happy cooking!