Happy Friday! I finally got over my sickness and I am feeling better. So looking forward to the weekend! I was thinking about the foods I grew to love and wanted to highlight some of the ways I love eating them. First up, black beans!

This week, I had a craving for black bean soup. Usually I just combine black beans, broth and spices, but I wanted to kick it up a notch this time around and add some more veggies. So I combined:
*2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
*2 cups veggie broth
*Garlic
*1 can of diced tomatoes
*1 green pepper, chopped
*1 onion, chopped
*Sprinkling of oregano and chili powder

I sauteed the green pepper, onion and garlic, then added the remaining ingredients. I let it simmer on the stove for about 45 minutes before eating. I’ll probably add more broth next time to make it more soupy.

Another favorite use for black beans is something I got from an issue of Women’s Health a long time ago. Its easy to make, but a little messy to eat. This sad, little picture doesn’t do it justice (flat food does not photograph well, no?), but its good for part of a simple lunch-dinner.

You’ll need:
*1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
*1 can of diced tomatoes
*Garlic (I usually use about 2-3 cloves)
*Cumin
*Cooking spray
*Cheese (I usually use whatever shredded kind I have on hand)
*Whole wheat tortillas

On the stove, combine the black beans, tomatoes, garlic and cumin on medium heat. Stirring occasionally, let this sit on the stove for about 5-10 minutes. Next, you’ll want to spray a cooking pan with some cooking spray and place the tortillas on it. Load half of it with some of the mixture for the stove, top with cheese and place it in the oven. I typically use the broil on my toaster oven. Flip over when the tortilla starts to get a little brown and crispy. When the other side is done, its ready to eat.

Do you use canned or dried beans? I’ll admit, I am in the habit of using canned beans – it really is just so much more convenient and I can stock up when its on sale. I also try to use fresh tomatoes when I can, but again, the diced is just so much more convenient and I prefer to save my fresh tomatoes for my salads and sandwiches. Part of the convenience factor stems from living with roommates for the past four years – I lived in apartments with at least four other people and fridge space was scarce. Its a hard habit to break, but I’m going to make an effort to use dried beans.

Hope everyone had a good Friday and an even better weekend!

Last night I made ratatouille with my farmer’s market loot. I used Julia Child’s recipe, but adapted it sand didn’t follow the directions exactly. So, I guess you could say I didn’t make Julia Child’s version. The recipe is very involved and takes time with all the cutting and sauteing. However, the end result is very flavorful, colorful dish and the house smells fantastic when it is cooking. We ate this with brown rice and I ate the leftovers cold today, yummy!

I still need to see Julie & Julia, but this Julianne will just settle to find her own Julia in the meantime. What are your favorite Julia recipes?

Julia Child’s Ratatouille
1 pound eggplant
1 pound zucchini
A 3-quart, porcelain or stainless-steel mixing bowl
1 t. salt
A 10- to 12-inch enameled skillet
4  T. olive oil, more if needed
1/2 pound (about 1 1/2 cups) thinly sliced yellow onions
2 (about 1 cup) sliced green bell peppers
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil, if necessary
2 cloves mashed garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pound firm, ripe, red tomatoes, peeled, seeded and juiced (makes 1 1/2 cups pulp) (I used canned tomatoes since I did’nt have time for this part nor enough tomatoes)
Salt and pepper
A 2 1/2 quart fireproof casserole about 2 1/2 inches deep
3 T. minced parsley
Salt and pepper

Peel the eggplant and cut into lengthwise slices 3/8 inch thick, about 3 inches long and 1 inch wide. Scrub the zucchini, slice off the two ends and cut the zucchini into slices about the same size as the eggplant slices. Place the vegetables in a bowl and toss with the salt. Let stand for 30 minutes. Drain. Dry each slice in a towel.

One layer at a time, saute the eggplant and then the zucchini in hot olive oil in the skillet for about a minute on each side to brown very lightly. Remove to a side dish.

In the same skillet, cook the onions and peppers slowly in olive oil for about 10 minutes, or until tender but not browned. Stir in the garlic and season to taste.

Slice the tomato pulp into 3/8-inch strips. Lay them over the onions and peppers. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the skillet and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, or until tomatoes have begun to render their juice. Uncover, baste the tomatoes with the juices, raise heat and boil for several minutes, until juice has almost entirely evaporated.

This is the part where I don’t follow directions….I just mixed everything together and did not layer it. Julia’s directions are below.

Place a third of the tomato mixture in the bottom of the casserole and sprinkle over it 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Arrange half of the eggplant and zucchini on top, then half the remaining tomatoes and parsley. Put in the rest of the eggplant and zucchini and finish with the remaining tomatoes and parsley.

Cover the casserole and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Uncover, tip casserole and baste with the rendered juices. Correct seasoning, if necessary. Raise heat slightly and cook uncovered for about 15 minutes more, basting several times, until juices have evaporated leaving a spoonful or two of flavored olive oil. Be careful of your heat; do not let the vegetables scorch in the bottom of the casserole.

Set aside uncovered. Reheat slowly at serving time or serve cold. Serves 6-8.