back in black

December 8, 2009

I didn’t think it would take this long to settle in, and I’m still not.  I’ve been in Southern California now for over a month, and the change from the London life I knew has been nothing short of extreme.  Surrounded by taquerias instead of pubs, the only thing I’ve been longing for is…some old-fashioned Cuban loving.

So, after more than a couple of calls to my mom and aunt, I scavenged two Mexican supermarkets and emerged with enough ingredients to replicate that family favorite: black beans, white rice, and fried plantains.

Yes, this is far from the high-raw focus of not long ago, but when so many changes are underway, comfort (and flexibility) calls.

new recipe: bring-me-back black beans

The sofrito
sofrito

The platanitos (ripe, fried plantains)
platanitos

Arroz con frijoles

arrozyfrijoles

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comments

  1. Jess December 19, 2009 at 00:05

    Indeed you did! Glad you liked it…more to come.

  2. Brian December 13, 2009 at 03:40

    These were quite tasty! I had the tasty one which posed for the photos! :)

  3. Jess December 9, 2009 at 21:30

    Yes, Jenn, you have to try them!

  4. Jess December 9, 2009 at 21:29

    Thank you so much, soon-to-be Mrs Schoon!

  5. Jess December 9, 2009 at 21:28

    I bet your house smells wonderful, Linda! Thanks for the warm welcome back, and hope the storm passes soon.

  6. Linda December 9, 2009 at 20:46

    Welcome back! As for comfort food, we here in the midwest are getting slammed with a big winter storm…a perfect time for bread making and filling the house with lovely bread. My choice today is challah; I know, a Mexican making challah but I just love eggy bread. A little too sweet for refried beans but just right with a bit of butter and homemade blueberry jam. Not raw but real comfort food in the mist of a winter storm!

  7. green ink December 9, 2009 at 12:28

    Ooh, yummy!! London (and at least one person in it, ME) misses you too! xx

  8. Jennifer December 9, 2009 at 01:55

    Jess, those plantanitos look so delicious…mmmm…

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