Cappuccino with Sugar

Good morning, sunshine : )  Just wanted to share a lovely, foamy cappuccino with you on this wonderful Wednesday.

Passion Fruit Dessert

Today I had the amazing good fortune to join my dear friends at the French Laundry in Yountville, CA. This was the first of, oh, six desserts or so. So beautiful, so delicious. I may never recover!

Happy New Year Beans!

Happy New Year, everyone!!!

Today we are making good luck heirloom vaquero beans in the kitchen to bring forth happiness and prosperity in the new year. I think we all could use a little good fortune for 2014 : )

This recipe is a cross between the New Years Day black eyed peas found commonly in the southern states, and savory cannellini beans from Italy, with a smidge of Napa Valley coolness on the side.

Ingredients

1 lb of vaquero (or similar) beans
1/4 cup plus one tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves of garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Soak the beans in water for 6-12 hours. Yes... 6-12 hours.
2. Transfer the beans into a large pot and cover with water. The water should be about 1 to 1.5 inches above the beans.
3. Finely chop the garlic.
4. Using a small saute pan, saute the garlic until soft in one tbsp of the olive oil.
5. Add the sauteed garlic yummieness to the beans.
6. Now add the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil directly to the bean mixture.
7. Bring the bean mixture to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Simmer for approximately 2 hours.
8. Add the salt and pepper, then continue to simmer on low for another 30 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!!