I live to eat and love to cook. Welcome to my life!

January 14, 2010

Family addiction

So I am not super in to television....in fact, my colleague makes fun of me a bit and is super impressed when I actually recognize a TV personality or tell her that I couldn't drag myself away from the latest episode of Glee! I went without TV for almost 10 years and probably wouldn't have it now if it weren't for Brock. I do enjoy having it in the house, but if I didn't have it, would probably not miss it much.

Except when it comes to family night.

Mom, Dad, Brock and I convene weekly (or bi-weekly) at my parents house and root for the best teams during football season, watch DVR'd episodes of yesterday's Jay Leno because we can't stay up that late and when American Idol starts, we have a standing dinner date for the day after it airs. (No commercials thanks to DVR....helloooo!)


I know we are dorky, but I love us all the same. And you know that in some way you have the same addiction somewhere...be it Grays Anatomy, Dirty Jobs or any of the other shows that are totally escaping me because I don't pay attention to TV. :)

Tonight finds us a few days after the first two hour episode of American Idol in Moms kitchen....sun setting, wine glass full (the whole "on the wagon" thing just wasn't working for me...) and a pot of Feijoada on the stove.

Yeah, you read right, that is not a misspelling....pronounced fay-zhwah-duh...it is a Brazilian Black Bean soup that is filling, comforting and pretty healthy when made as listed below. You can of course fatten it up if you want, but as most of us want to slim down instead of fatten up I am guessing and hoping you will follow my lead.

There is a little bit of bacon in it, which is not considered healthy by some (whatever!), but it is an integral part of my existence so just deal with it....or replace it with turkey bacon if you are super against using the pig variety (Really??? Turkey bacon? How does that work??? Have dissected turkey and found no bacon!). But remember, your body does need fat in your diet to absorb vitamins, so consider this little bit of bacon fat a vitamin bearing visitor....you just need a little time on the StairMaster to make it go away. :)

Brazilian Black Bean Soup
~Mom's Feijoada~


6 Strips Thick Sliced Bacon, diced
8 oz Turkey Smoked Sausage, diced (has less fat than regular LITE Kielbasa!)

1 1/2 cups Onion, chopped
3 Cloves Garlic
1-2 Serrano Chiles, diced (depends on your heat preference)
2 tsp Chili Powder

2 Cups Black Beans, drained & rinsed
5 Cups Chicken Broth or Stock

6 Cups Collard Greens, stemmed & chopped
2 Cup Tomatoes, seeded & diced

1 1/2 Cups Cooked Rice (preferably brown basmati)
Fresh Orange Wedges

Saute bacon in a soup pot or dutch oven until crisp, remove and drain. remove most of the bacon fat and brown kielbasa in remaining drippings. Remove and drain. Wipe the pot clean.

Add a little olive oil to the pot and saute the onions for a few minutes and then add the garlic and serranos, stirring so the garlic does not burn. Add in the chili powder and saute until all veggies are soft.

Stir in the beans and mash a bit, start adding broth a cup or so at a time, scrape up the browned bits from the bottom. You may not need to add all the broth depending on how thick you want the soup....Add in the bacon & kielbasa and simmer for a bit.



Meanwhile in a big saute pan, heat a little olive oil and add the greens & tomatoes little by little until the greens are wilted.



Add the greens & tomatoes to the beans and season to taste with salt. Serve with the orange wedges on the side.,,,the orange wedges are a MUST!


**If you want more kick, you can also add diced serrano chiles (more of them!) as a garnish.

2 comments:

The PRgirl said...

I always love reading your blog..this sounds yummy I will make it in my new place.

Jeni said...

Be sure to squeeze the orange slice in the stew. It's not the same without. Enjoy!