Easy Mexican Refried Beans

After relaxing with Ella on the beach and hearing her talk of the authentic Mexican recipes she made with her mom growing up, I've been craving Mexican food like crazy. I've had this recipe in my stash for awhile, and pulled it out for dinner last week. I can already say that I will be making this one forever, it's just that doggone good. While it was a little more of a time commitment starting with dry beans, it was completely worth it! 

I made the oven beans in the morning, and then stored them in the fridge until I was ready to cook dinner. The oven beans are very easy and the best part - they require no overnight soaking!  You can serve them as a side dish, or scoop them inside corn tortillas and add toppings. 

Easy Mexican Refried Beans
from The Wanderlust Kitchen

4 Tbsp vegetable oil or lard
1 batch oven beans (see recipe below)
1 to 1 1/2 cups water
1/2 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1 tsp Goya all-purpose seasoning
Cilantro, chopped scallions, and cotija cheese for garnish

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beans, stir well, then cover and let cook for 4-5 minutes.
2. Once the beans are warm, begin mashing them by using the back of a wooden spoon. As you mash, the insides of the beans will come out and make the mixture quite dry. Keep the water close to the stove so you can drizzle some in as needed throughout the process. If the beans don't seem to want to mash, just put the lid back on and try again in a few minutes. Sometimes they just need to warm up a bit more. 
3. Keep mashing away and adding water as needed until you get the consistency you prefer. If you add too much water, just keep the lid off and let the liquid cook off through the steam. Stir in the cumin, cayenne pepper, and Goya. 
4. Serve warm, topped with cilantro, scallions, and cotija cheese. 

No-Soak Oven Beans
from The Wanderlust Kitchen

1 lb pinto beans
Salt 
Seasonings (bay leaf, cumin, chili powder, minced garlic, black pepper)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Sort through beans and remove debris.
Place dry beans in a 3 quart dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid.
Add 2 tsp salt, and other seasonings as desired. 
Add enough water to cover the beans by 1 inch.
Put on the lid and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Check the beans and stir them. If they are tender, take them out of the oven. If they aren't done, put them back in the oven for 15 minute intervals. If they appear to be drying out, add 1 cup of hot water.
Store in the fridge, covered. You can also divide the cooked beans and freeze them for later use. 

Ella's Guacamole

On our recent family vacation, I was finally able to meet my cousin's amazing girlfriend Ella. She is from Mexico and loves to cook, travel, read books, and has two adorable maltese dogs. I'd been waiting to meet her for the past few years, and before we left the vacation she was generous enough to share her personal guacamole recipe with me so that we could all benefit!

Growing up in Mexico, her mom cooked up authentic meals daily. Ella was in charge of making the guacamole and salsa, and she has been making this recipe for years. I could not resist making my first batch with one of my giant heirloom garden tomatoes that was one day from being too ripe, and next time I will strictly follow her recipe for a more creamy texture from the avocados. Ella did say, make this your own! 

Ella's Guacamole
3 ripe Hass avocados, halved and pitted
2 to 4 fresh serrano peppers, coarsely chopped including seeds
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 medium white onion, coarsely chopped
2 medium roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 limes (bright green color)
1 teaspoon kosher salt (add more to taste)

For heat - add a dash of Ella's favorite hot sauce Valentina (or other favorites Cholula or Tapatio)

In a blender: add the peppers, half of the cilantro, 3/4 of the onion, tomatoes, juice of 1 lime, and salt. Blend until smooth. 

Scoop the avocado flesh with a spoon into the blender jar and blend until creamy. Scoop in a bowl, then add 1/4 onion and remaining cilantro as garnish and cover with juice of 1 lime. 

weekend inspiration - thoughts on mentors

The day I sat down with my journal and wrote out my list of mentors and life coaches was one of the best things I've ever done. On those days I feel a little stuck in a rut, I have a list of mostly women who can guide me to be the woman that I strive to be. If you haven't made a similar list, grab a pencil, paper, and start writing. I promise it will be a powerful tool in your life.

I have kept my career mentors private, as they prefer anonymity. However, I think that having a career mentor is essential, someone you respect, admire, and strive to emulate. In tough situations...I often ask "what would Dr. --- do", and that guides me to do what is right. 

--a few folks on MY LIST--

1 - My mom

Simply stated, my mom is an eternal optimist who radiates positive energy. She loves people. She is selfless and showers her friends and family with homemade food, bouquets of flowers, and personal gifts like quilts and small paintings. My favorite Mumford quote is "where you invest your love, you invest your life" and she was the first to really teach me that valuable lesson. 

2 - My dad

If you follow my blog, you have seen my GaryTalks where I reflect on the many life's lessons that my dad has taught us over the years. If there is one phrase that my dad embodies, it's from the movie Shawshank - "Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying" - and he is out raising hell, doing what he loves, enjoying life, and not taking a single day for granted. 

3 - Ina Garten

I love Ina's simple French style and her passion for SLOW food and sharing homemade meals around a gorgeous table with flowers, candles, and simple serving dishes.  Ina  surrounds herself with beautiful people, beautiful things, and keeps it simple. 

4 - My favorite aerobics instructor 

This lady ROCKS - she has kids, an amazing body, an upbeat energetic personality, and always gets me to the gym on days I am close to opting out. She lifts heavy weight, doesn't look a year over 35 though I know she's in her 40's, and is clearly taking care of her body.

5 - J.K. Rowling

If you are not familiar with her story, take a minute and read it. I am a feminist in that I respect and admire intelligent, articulate, creative, ambitious women who manage to retain their femininity yet have real substance and grit.

6 - Gretchen Rubin

Reading The Happiness Project secured my belief that little changes lead to big results. Gretchen is always trying to turn the volume up on making her life happier, and she does this by making little changes in her daily routine. I love subscribing to her daily quotes by email. 

7 - Nina Garcia (author of the Little Black Book of Style)

My mom recently introduced me to this book, and Nina is my new style guru. I'm giving copies to all my favorite girls this year. Nina advises to invest in the bones - pieces that are classic, timeless, and fit YOUR figure perfectly.  She also emphasizes that less is more, and that you should be smitten with every single item in your closet.

8 - Oprah

Live your best life. Period. That is my ultimate goal. Do your very best, where you are, with what you have. Fail today, do better tomorrow. I just love that. Oprah also coined the AHA moment which I can completely relate to. She loves people and she loves to get to know people. She has inspired me to ask more questions and get to know peoples stories.

SO THAT'S MY LIST. Sorry if I bored you. Please share your mentors with me! 

Homemade Peach Ice Cream (& lessons from the kitchen)

The kitchen is a magical place for learning life's lessons. Let me share with you a recent example, along with one of my favorite Henry Ford quotes. 

This week, I was served a big lesson on reading instructions carefully before you begin. I made homemade ice cream for the first time in this Kitchen Aid ice cream attachment. I did freeze the ice cream bowl for 15 hours, however I did NOT chill the batter. I followed the recipe below and poured the cool (not cold) batter right into my ice cream bowl. What resulted was a delicious tasting batch of softer than soft serve cream. Woops. 

                       

I brought my failed effort over to my father-in-law's house for his birthday present and we had a nice little laugh. 

The next batch I made was perfect, and I think it's important that when we face failure, rather than throwing our hands in the air we decide to try again and do better. 

I plan on making lots more homemade ice cream so please share your favorite recipes with me! 
Homemade Peach Ice Cream
from Glorious Treats

2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup honey, warmed slightly
6 Tablespoons (1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp) sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large (or 3 medium) peaches

1. Prepare peaches by peeling, and removing the pit. Puree ONE of the peaches (in a blender or food processor) until smooth. Dice the other peach into small pieces (about the size of a pea). Set peaches aside.

2. In a large bowl add the cream, milk, honey, and sugar. Whisk a minute or so, until the sugar has dissolved.

3. Add vanilla.

4. Add peach puree and diced peaches and whisk or stir until well combined.

5. Taste for sweetness and if desired, add additional sugar (1-2 tablespoons), then whisk until dissolved.

6. Pour ice cream mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the freezing directions.

Caprese Pasta Bake with Fresh Garden Tomatoes

Call me crazy, but every morning I walk out to my garden with my mug of coffee and admire my tomatoes. I daydream of recipes like this one or biting into a juicy tomato sandwich. 

Back when I was young, our neighbor taught me that the uglier the tomato, the better the flavor. The heirloom varieties tend to be deformed and remind me of Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but don't we all know not to judge a thing by it's appearance. Little life lessons from the garden. 

This simple pasta is divine. I came across the recipe on Instagram and the rest is history. Add it to your repertoire of thirty minute meals. 

Caprese Pasta Bake with Fresh Garden Tomatoes
adapted from the Reluctant Entertainer

1 (16 ounce) box whole wheat pasta (I like whole wheat Dellalo)

1 (25 ounce) jar of tomato basil pasta sauce
2 cups rotisserie chicken, chopped *optional - I left out*
16 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves, chopped

2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced

Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Make pasta according to package directions, making sure it’s cooked al dente; drain. Chop rotisserie chicken and basil and set aside. Slice tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
2. Returned the drained pasta back into the pot, and combine the pasta, tomato sauce, chicken, and half the basil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Heat lightly throughout.
3. Turn the oven on to broil. Place the mixture in a 9x13 greased pan. Top with the sliced tomatoes and the sliced cheese.
4. Broil for about 5-7 minutes, until the cheese begins to brown and is bubbly.
5. Serve sprinkled with the remaining chopped basil leaves.

Maternity Style

If you are not pregnant, completely ignore this post and do me a favor this evening- enjoy a vodka martini and 8 hours of uninterrupted blissful sleep! However, if you are knocked up, tired, missing vodka, and in need of bump style inspiration, read on...

Below are a few tips from my favorite bloggers on maternity style. I've had great luck at Target and Old Navy, and picked up an adorable swim suit (here) from ASOS. My mom bought me a beautiful beach tunic and I've been cinching everything with colorful skinny belts from Target above the bump (advice from Emily Henderson).

 

So far, I've avoided buying expensive denim, though I LOVE the white skinnies Kacia is sporting in her blog post. The gap and target have great solid tanks that I've been living in, along with these black capri leggings. I've found a few cotton maxi dresses that are comfortable and flattering. Around the house, you will easily find me in one of my husbands XL t-shirts and leggings, but on date night and when I'm out I make an effort to style my bump! 

For those looking for cute work-out clothes, the Athleta Contender capri is my absolute favorite.

• Maternity must haves from Emily Henderson
• Maternity style (*my favorite*) from Kacia @ coconut robot 
• The Small Things Blog - Kate has tons of adorable outfits with links on where to buy
• 2nd trimester must haves from Thoughts by Natalie -- this merona dress is my fave and she has weekly "bump style" post. LOVE HER!
• Oh Joy! has a current series called "dressing the bump" and always looks adorable

Currently Enjoying...

- this healthy treat tastes like dessert (at 100 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 9 grams of  
   fiber) - VitaTops Banana Choco Chip though I love all their flavors - find in frozen  
   organic section of grocery.

 - this book should be on every woman's bookshelf for a source of inspiration. On those  
   days when the closet is an enemy, read chapter one for a fresh outlook on confidence, 
   attitude, and how less is truly more with killer shoes and accessories! 

- this summer scent - BEACH by bobbi brown - smells like coppertone, salt, and sun. 

 - this natural stretch oil on the bump twice a day - Earth Mama Angel Baby brand

 - iced tea made with Lipton cold brew and crystal light lemonade with a few sprigs of mint

 - this Lulu Lemon practice freely tank - my all time favorite work out top 

 - this BKR water bottle - definitely a splurge but I swear water tastes better out of a glass   
   bottle! (I bought the color gloss)