I waited all day for this: a chance to relax with friends! Boy have we missed them these past few weeks. We need a healthy dose of our friends, at least weekly.
The evening started with mariachi music from Pandora and a few Trader Joses!
Kate + Nate were the first to arrive
Followed by B+B and Michelle + Ben 🙂
Plus homemade guac and TJ’s corn chips
I had about 5
About an hour after my first I had brew number two –
And then dinner was served!
I made a Cheesy Bean + Rice Casserole
Contents:
- 1 cup dry Lundberg Short Grain Brown Rice, cooked with some chicken broth
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 squash, chopped
- 1/2 green + red bell peppers, chopped
- 1 tspish chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- S+P
- ~1 bag Trader Joe’s 3 cheese blend
- Cook rice
- Cook veggies
- Stir in spices
- Combine all in a bowl
- Put in casserole dish
- Top with cheese
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350*, broiling in last 3 minutes if a browner crust is desired
Romaine + Bell Pepper + Feta Salad
With Red Pepper Dressing (thought it was just OK)
MY PLATE:
Michelle brought fruit for dessert with some nuts mixed in. Thanks Michelle!
I brought out some toppings
My combo had a little of each – plus a little bit of Kelsey’s newest granola!!
The bears even came out to play!! Kelsey is housesitting for us next week and wanted to get acquainted. Bocker, Churton + Beaker:
We just cleaned the whole kitchen!! And Matt and I just had a dance party to beach music on Pandora
Pendant Winner!
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102
102. Becky K. | May 22nd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I love that charm!
And your breakfast looks yummy but definitely filling!Hope you have a fantabulous day!
Becky, Please send me an email! KathEats at Gmail 🙂
***
I am chugging water – I can feel those two beers – and then we’re off to bed. Our flight tomorrow is early afternoon, so we have to morning to get things together. It’ll probably fly by though!
Night guys –
Elizabeth says
Love love LOVE the bears. 🙂
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) says
Gotta love a fun night with friends. AND MEXICAN FOOOD!!!! YUMMMMMM!
Oh, and love the fruit dessert.
Food always tastes better with good company. Glad you had a great time. Night!
Help Meghan Run says
Super cute! *Love* the bears, as always, and that recipe looks like a crowd-pleaser. Good luck with everything tomorrow!
www. HelpMeghanRun .com
Christina MINDFUL LIVING says
DANCE PARTIES WHAT UP!!!
Jenn )) j3nn.net (( says
That casserole looks YUMMY!
I LOL’d @ the Trader Jose, my first thought was “Trader Joe’s Corona” lol
Jenn
sue says
yay glad you got a chance to relax and have fun after long to-do list you checked off!
Heather says
What a fun evening Kath! And the perfect send-off for your trip! Your Cheesy Bean and Rice Casserole looks amazing… I’ll bet that took a little while to make!
Could you share the recipe for that guacamole?
Meredith (Pursuing Balance) says
Friends + good food = great start to your weekend!
Ellen @ Peace in Motion says
I’m going to have to stalk my TJ’s for those brews. They look like the perfect bbq beer.
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
Looks like a fantastic night!
Hey readers! Dont’ forget you can visit my blog and enter to win the pendants too, or you can order them! (sorry Kath, I just had to!! 🙂 )
Sarah says
That casserole looks fab. I’m going to try that I think I have all the ingredients. Have a fun trip!!!
Sarah says
Have a safe and fun trip! Can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back 🙂
Bec says
Bah I love your bears, have a safe flight and a great vacay!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health says
oh what a wonderful evening! 🙂 your casserole looks delicious!
Sleep well!
Biz319 says
Glad you had a good farewell dinner with friends – I’ll have to check out that beer!
Love that you are bold enough to have a meatless dinner party! 😀
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
The casserole looks great!
What a fun dinner party!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
what a fun night! I love that you let the bears join you 😉
Have a safe flight tomorrow!
Lisa says
Oh, dinner parties are so fun. Have a safe, fun flight!
Jennifer says
GREAT dinner Kath!!! I love the nuts and fruits idea… I gotta do that!
BTW I’m in London now and you should travel here soon… it’s FABULOUS! (My second time around as well).
Christie @ BeadLuvah says
Glad you had a nice time with friends!
Travel safe!
Marisa (trim the fat) says
A fun night! Make sure Kelsey keeps an eye out for Gilbert, too 😉
Jean says
I am trying that casserole next week for dinner. If I switch out the chicken broth for veggie broth I think it is a recipe that both me and my husband will both enjoy. I’m a vegetarian and he isn’t, so cooking sometimes can be a challenge. 🙂
Kath says
Heather ,
It’s just a mash of avocado, tomato, lime juice, salt, cilantro, garlic powder, cumin, pepper – all to taste.
Jennifer ,
Wow, you sure are traveling a lot! I can’t wait to go back to England. We were shooting for this Xmas, but I think it will have to be next summer. Don’t miss out on a trip to Cambridge!
K
debbie says
Wow Kath, that casserole looks divine! So I just finished making a copy of your recipe and plan to try it “hopefully” next week. I’ll definitely take a pic and give you props when I make it.
Wishing you a wonderful trip!
Blessings – Debbie
spicygranola says
I can’t wait to visit a Trader Joe’s when I am in DC ( I probably won’t be getting mexican beer but it is nice it know it is an option). I love dinners with friends! It looks like you had a great time.mmmmmm guacamole
Greta says
Kath,
I’m thinking of making that casserole tomorrow for a cook out, is there anything that you would alter (recipe-wise) the next time you make it?
Have a great Saturday!
Stacey says
Holy yum! I will be making that recipe soon, thank’s for sharing 🙂
Last night was supposed to be my “beer night”, but I had a change of plans..I will definitely enjoy one tonight though 🙂
Just wondering, what IS your fav Annies dressing? Mine would have to be the raspberry vinagerrette.Never had her Goddess dressing though!
Kath says
Greta ,
I wouldn’t have broiled the cheese so it would have been more melted (that was matt’s doing) and perhaps added a bit more salt and or taco-style seasonings. Otherwise, no!
Stacey ,
Goddess and Woodstock! I haven’t been particularly impressed by the others.
Kath
Amanda says
Fun!! That guacamole looks delicious!
Danica says
Fabulous eats and menu – LOVE the cheesy bean and casserole. I need to try that.
I agree with you on the roasted red pepper dressing. My sis loves it but I think it’s eh, ok. Not one of my favorites that we make.
bobbi says
I so need to try that casserole!