Happy Monday! Did everyone enjoy their gorgeous weekend? Fall is definitely settling in especially since Saturday was the first day of fall. How timely!
We had a beautiful Sunday going to church and learning more about our church family and getting to know more about our Creator, God Almighty. There is something about a gorgeous day and knowing that your life is secured.
We had a busy Sunday. We were invited over to a couple’s home for lunch then Ryan had a convocation at his university. Meanwhile Julianne and I walked around the West Chester downtown. People were eating outside at almost every restaurant. We saw lots of dogs and people kept gawking and saying hello to Julianne. She is SUCH a people person. She looks at everyone in the eye and give them a toothy smile. It is the most precious thing!
I was kind of nervous with the fact she had only had one 30-min nap. I tried keeping her in the stroller but she just wanted to see the action. I tried holding her and keeping her in the Ergo carrier but she would not have it. I have to say that she is very much like her mother. Despite being tired, I know I can keep myself awake so I can make the most of every moment. I am not surprised that my child is the same way. I see other parents walking their babies, all asleep in their strollers but mine forces herself to stay awake. Oh well.
We got home at around 4:30pm and well we ALL wanted to take naps. I was afraid of keeping Julianne up another 2 hours even though she had been in the BEST mood all day. I figured she needed a nap even if her bedtime was a little later than usual. I fed her and put her down. I rested realizing I could not nap but I stretched out and relaxed.
One hour went by, then two hours, three hours, and then four. I then realized perhaps Julianne would not be getting up. I felt nervous because I thought she would get us in the middle of the night thinking it was early morning and it would make for a crazy start to our week. Guess what though? Julianne fell asleep from 4:30pm to 6am this morning! I was shocked but seeing her happy face made me realize she really needed that sleep. Poor baby. She looks like she grew a half inch too.
So what did I do with all my free time yesterday evening? I watched a bit of the Emmy’s red carpet, did my bible study for my women’s study group next week, and I decided to make Cuban food.
I know some people know I have had a hankering for Cuban food the last few weeks. The closest restaurant is 45 minutes away so I knew that was not going to happen. I had been looking near and far for plantains to make my own fried platanos or platains but I could not find them ANYWHERE! I was getting very frustrated. On Saturday, while we were driving around West Chester, we found a Mexican grocery store. We stopped and I stocked up on goodies I knew I have not been able to find.
What else did I find? Plantains!!!! Yes, I get happy seeing bananas. What can I say?
Last night then I worked on frying one of the five plantains. I cooked up some white rice and I prepared black beans. It all took me about 30 minutes. how about that for some quick Cuban food?
Here is what I did. The plantains have to be VERY ripe and almost black to prepare and fry. I sliced them up, heated the vegetable oil and fried for 10 minutes.
They then were placed on a plate for the oil to soak into paper.
During that time I prepared the rice which cooked for 30 minutes.
After the fried plantains were cooked I drained the hot oil in another pan and heated some olive oil. I chopped up some onions, peppers, garlic and fried it in the pan. I added one can of black beans and added spices, like one bay leaf, cumin, oregano, tomato paste, a little vinegar and some broth.
The bean mixture simmered for 15 minutes and then I added a 1 1/2 of cooked white rice and cooked for another 5 minutes and turned off the heat. The rice soaked it the rest of the broth and flavors.
I decided not to just make rice and beans but instead I decided to make a another popular Cuban dish called Moros y Cristianos or Black Beans and Rice dish.
My craving or hankering was finally satisfied. The beauty of the this dish is that you have leftovers for the rest of the week. I have at least 2 lunches prepared and ready for me to eat. The only thing I need to do is fry some more plantains, or sweet bananas. I only had ONE ripe banana so I was somewhat sad to share them with my husband. Hahahahaha
Ryan is not a black bean eater but he came home for dinner last night and asked if I left him some plantains. Of course and some black beans too! He ate it all. How nice right?
The recipes are all found through a fabulous site called Three Guys From Miami.
How to make Fried Sweet Plantains and Moros y Cristianos (Black Beans and White Rice Dish)
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