black beans and rice

Ingredients:

• 4 tsp olive oil (sometimes we just use coconut oil)
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 5-6 cloves garlic minced
• 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained (or equivalent cooked beans)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 C chicken broth (I was so excited to use my own :)
• 3/4 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 1/2 C water (i actually omitted this and loved it)
• 2 T finely chopped cilantro
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4-5 cups hot. cooked rice

Directions:

1. in medium sauce pan saute peppers, onions and garlic in the oil for about 5 minutes over medium heat.
2. stir in beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, thyme, bay lear, oregano, and water and bring to a boil.
3. reduce to simmer and stir occasionally until sauce thickens (about 30-45 minutes)
4. serve over rice and garnish with cilantro

Review:
We got rave reviews from everyone except tj on this one (but he's the super picky, gag on everything kinda kid lately...) I even asked if this was one to add into our monthly rotation (see here on my monthly meal planner :) sb replied we should have it every week!  This is also another great one for our joseph who is allergic to eggs, wheat, dairy, corn, soy, peanuts, and dog... not that we eat dog... but he can eat this for sure :)

Acknoweledgements:
this is from melskitchencafe blog... if you haven't checked her out yet i strongly urge/suggest/admonish whatever... go... do it... you won't regret what you find!

Pumkin Pancakes!

Ingredients:

• 2 C flour
• 6 Tbs sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 2 eggs
• 2 C plain yogurt (we used plain greek from costco)
• 1/2 C canned pumpkin
• 4 Tbs butter, melted and cooled... (i just used the butter that's been on the counter and was soft)

Directions

1. mix all dry ingredients together
2. in a separate bowl, mix all wet ingredients and then combine with the dry.
3. use about 1/4 C batter per pancake...

These don't really bubble up like traditional pancakes to let you know when to flip, but they are pretty thick and fluffy :)

Also, this made plenty with some left over for our family of 6.

for the syrups, check out these posts here.

Review: OH MY GOODNESS! Fall just EXPLODED in my mouth :) got "Awesomes" all the way around the table :)

Acknowledgements:
This came from a ward cookbook put together and given to me by a friend...