broke out the slow cooker

My slow cooker could not stay in isolation all summer.  I was itching to break it out.  So I did -- yesterday to be exact.  And I made cowboy beans!

Cowboy Beans
2 cans pinto beans (2 c dry)
2 cans dark red kidney beans (2 c dry)
1 lb ground turkey or beef
1 onion
1 bell/ancient/cubano pepper
2 cans Rotel tomatoes & chiles (3 c fresh tomatoes & 1 c chiles)
1 can diced tomatoes (2 c fresh)
Adobo spice
Paprika (I used hot Hungarian -- you can also use chili powder)
Shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips to serve

1. brown meat
2. throw all ingredients in slow cooker
3. turn slow cooker on low
4. and wait.

Oh my god they are so good.  They give me an excuse to eat something chilli-like when it is nine billion degrees outside.

Biscuits. With Gravy.

Holy crap. I made biscuits and gravy this morning. Thanks to the (somewhat suprisingly, all things considered) celiac-friendly Betty Crocker, Bisquick now comes in gluten free form.

The gravy turned out really well with Pamela's baking mix.

But how were the biscuits? On first inspection, they were a bit heavier than I remember. Taste-wise? HEAVEN. So good.

Thank you for being awesome, Betty Crocker!

it's been awhile

It has bee pretty crazy 'round these parts lately (galavanting, gardening, reading...) but I feel as though I should share my current obsessions:

Malbec:

Namely, Gato Negro 2008 (for $3.99!)

Don Rodolfo

Arido 2008

Udi's GF bread (white or brown:

Hands down the best gluten free bread I have ever tasted. I can even eat it untoasted! And I can have my beloved olive-and-cream cheese sandwiches again.

Figs!

Figs seem to have about a one week window of availability in the Midwest- this last week was it! I love figs- they are so delicious.

To Kill a Mockingbird

This July is the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of To Kill a Mockingbird, hands down my favorite book. My mom made me read this book when we were on vacation in northern Wisconsin when I was just 7 years old - it has been my absolute favorite novel since.

That's all for now - hopefully either Adam or myself will update more than once in seven months from now on!