Not much to report other than some good wine tonight
We’re taking it easy because tomorrow night is Sex and the City Date Night!! Yes, the husband and I are going together. If I had a group of girlfiends to go with I totally would get dressed up and drink martinis. You blog readers need to all move to Charlotte so we can be friends. It’s so hard meeting people when we’re young without kids.
We cracked open a bottle of Il Cuore Chardonnay that Karen bought for us after a tasting we all did this winter. It was really good! But it was also interesting to see how the wine changed with the meal. It was fruity and smooth before and I would’ve guessed a Sauvignon Blanc with my eyes closed as I finished my last sip with the baked beans…
Speaking of baked beans – that’s what we had! I soaked some navy beans last night and boiled them this morning. I like making beans from scratch, but it is so time consuming that I’m not sure it’s really worth the effort sometimes. They are better from scratch, but not 3 hours much better!
I browsed a bunch of baked bean recipes online and came up with my own combo. I added everything to taste so I’ll try to get the measurments right as best I can:
Simmer together in a pot until warmed through:
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/2 a can of tomato paste
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth (or water)
- 3 tbsp cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Splash hot sauce
Then dump sauce over about 3 cups of beans (2 cans??) and cook covered in a 350* oven for an hour.
I’ll call them BBQ Baked Beans because they were a lot like my BBQ chicken recipe with the tomato paste.
On the side we cooked a huge batch of broccoli raab. We really didn’t know how to cook this and after a quick Google search, found that all parts are edible and to just cook them like you would broccoli. We steamed about 6 cups in 1/4 cup veggie broth and drizzled on 1 tbsp Goddess dressing and a bit of honey to finish. This raab was from the CSA and there were lots of pieces that were practically inedible because they were so woody. It was like eating a tree! So maybe we did something wrong – but the leaves and flowers were excellent!
With wine pour #2 –
Strawberry Almond Butter Burger
For a snack this afternoon I had a TJ’s whole wheat bun with strawberries and almond butter. It was quite tasty!
I got a coffee headache right on cue this afternoon. I just dealt with it, knowing my body was just complaining.
Tomorrow I have early plans to go to the farmer’s market in Matthews with Maran 🙂 Then a run and some gardening with the husband (or I’ll just let him do it all while I’m gone!) Then SATC!
Sidi says
BEANS…. Yummy!
VeggieGirl says
Your SATC Date Night is BOUND to be a blast – have fun with that tomorrow!!! And of course enjoy the farmer’s market :0)
Kelly L. says
Are you hungry? Seems like such a small meal- beans and some greens. Just curious…
Romina says
The movie is great regardless of who you go with. =)
Strawberry burger? Hehe. Cute!!
Jessica says
I know exactly what you mean about living ina new place and being young with no kids. I’d catch a movie and martini with you anytime 😉
BethT says
I usually trim the woody stems and use only the most tender parts closest to the leaves.
Dee says
That’s awesome that your husband is going with you to SATC. I am also going with my husband tomorrow night because I don’t have a group of girls in my area to go with… At first that felt a little sad, but in reality we are lucky to have such great guys who are willing to sit through it with us!
Jen says
Love SATC!!!
I’ve been hearing that the movie is getting mixed reviews from critics but i am going to see it anyway because i am a HUGE FAN of the show!!!
I am going with my BFF … my MOM <3
BTW: i heard something funny . . .
some websites are reporting that you can see stray microphones in the background of some scenes of the movie. I guess you guys who are going to go watch the movie can be on the lookout for them (lol)!!!
Becca says
It is difficult to make friends at this age…especially where I’m at.
Anyway, the beans look yummy!
Korin says
SATC was pretty good! I have to say though I can’t really see guys I now being into it. I kinda feel bad that guys are getting dragged to this everywhere, LOL!
I guess we’ll see what the Husband thinks. 🙂
mel says
kath, your dinner just seems like 2 side items…did you get full from that? My bf and I made homemade pizza tonight- ww crust and lots of veggies! it was really fun and easy and a good date for anyone who needs cheap date ideas!
yaz says
I totally agree with Korin about the guy thing. I want to hear the husband’s review and yours as well K. Lets us know what you thought…
Have fun 2morrow!
Breakfast Queen says
About how much PB do you use to make your sandwiches and snacks?
Sarah says
I just got home from the movie… I really liked it, but I’m a huge SATC fan… Watching most episodes multiple times! I will say it was a little long…. AND I too went with my boyfriend. His review: a bit too long, but entertaining.
AND I agree about the difficulty of making friends, I graduated from college a year ago… I live near a huge college campus and I noticed lots of girlfriends at the movie… Made me miss college 🙁
Kelly says
I make a lot of beans, from scratch. A pressure cooker works great. I turn it on in the morning, boil for about 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and leave them there all day. Come home, they are perfectly cooked.
Also, you can cook them in a crock pot all day, on high.
Thirdly, cook them in a pot without pre-soaking and just keep adding water and boiling. Works every time(:
Allyson says
Went to see SATC tonight! LOVED it! Makes me want to get a ph in Manhattan. It should be that easy right?
Amen on that friends issue. I recently moved to a new area and its really tough to meet young peope without kids
Jill says
Awe, you should move to SLC instead! It’s beautiful here! And excellent elevation and hills for fitness!
That snack is such a great idea, it sounds so tastey!
Jill - GlossyVeneer says
My husband and I are finding the same difficulty, with the friends thing!
That strawberry “burger” looks soooo yummy. I’m almost craving one, even though I just finished off some frozen yogurt!
magpie says
I’m going to SATC tomorrow with the boy as well 🙂 I’m very excited. Have fun at the farmers’ market!
Saima says
aahhhh!! that strawberry burger looks soooo delish!! *yummm*
Kath says
Kelly L and mel ,
I agree that the dinner seemed small, but the beans were actually really filling (I had about 1 cup of them). It was a pretty large plate too. And lastly, I wasn’t terribly hungry from my strawberry burger just 2 hours before.
Dee ,
What a good perspective on being lucky with our guys 🙂
Breakfast Queen,
I usually stick to 1 tbsp. In oatmeal I use a level spoonful about 2/3 full, which is about 2 tsp. I rarely use 2 whole tbsp because I’d rather use the extra calories from the second on a huge bowl of yogurt or something more voluminous.
Kelly ,
A pressure cooker does seem like a good idea, but we’re minimalists in the kitchen when it comes to appliances so I hesitate to add one. I want a crock pot too but the husband says we’ll never use it. Hard to convince myself I need these items when I can do them without, but it would be nice!
Kath
Gina says
Hi Kath.
Yeah, the rabe is tricky, but if you don’t have a pressure cooker (also is perfect for it!!), you can also steam for a while and then saute it with a bit of EVOO and that loosens it up a lot, i would cut of the ends of the stalk as well to avoid the wood texture. A great quick pasta dish, saute a couple of anchovies, evoo, garlic, add broccoli raabe (after steaming it), then throw in cooked whole wheat pasta and maybe 1/4 cup of pasta water? So good!
Mom says
I’m usually the last to see a new movie but Kath’s sister and her friends went last night and invited the moms. We were honored. Doesn’t seem that long ago that my girls wouldn’t even consider being seen with me in the movies.
Movie is great! Especially, of course, the clothes. But how do they eat so much and stay so trim. I know they walk and Charlotte runs, but they sure seem to spend most of their time in heels (well, or naked.) Could it be magic?
B_Hlthy says
I saw SATC last night! It was a packed theatre but managed to grab a great seat!
I think it was a the most well-done chick flick ever…( and really funny! the whole theater was laughing and clapping!!!)
Guys may not think its hilarious or cry like we did but lots of nakedness they may appreciate
Have fun!
Stacy says
My husband went with us to the movie last night and enjoyed it, even though he hadn’t seen most of the episodes. Although as B_Hlthy pointed out I think the nudity helped!
It was terrific. The clothes were incredible aside from the fur and it was everything I’d hoped for when I heard it was coming out.
Kristie says
Broccoli raab is so good! And such a nice switch up from regular broccoli.
And I’m thinking that’s probably the tastiest burger I’ve seen in a while 😉
Sara says
My boyfriend went with me to see SETC last night b/c I have a same problem with friends. He thought it was okay but I loved it!
Have fun tonight!
Kath says
Mom,
Hanging out with the girls has got you talking like one!!
I think they just don’t eat much. They have the French Women Don’t Get Fat approach and have a few bites of this and that.
Plus it’s TV 🙂
K
Amy S. says
I’m heading out to SATC with a galpal today or tomorrow. Actually I’m kind of no that psyched. I liked the ending of the series but it’ll be good I’m sure. You girls need to get strong and go to movies solo– it’s not a bad thing!! I’m in my 30s and it’s not any easier to meet people now. Single, no children.
Getting lots of good ideas from your site, enjoying it. I have tons of weight to lose. It crept up on me in the last decade. egads. I’ve always been vegetarian, I just cut out cheese (exception is eating out and getting a salad with goat cheese).
JessieP says
Movie is wonderful Kath! I saw it last night with my bf, his cousin, aunts, and mother….some of the steamy scenes were awkward since i was sitting between him and his mom….but it was SO FUNNY and GREAT!!!!
ENJOY!!!
Kiala says
I’m dragging Dane with me tonight and we are seeing it with our best couple friends, Justin and Megan. They don’t have kids, either. Just dogs.
Oh! You should get a dog! Why don’t you have a dog? Or a cat? Why Kath? Allergic?
Get a dog. DO IT.
Kath says
Kiala ,
I’m not a dog person and the husband is allergic to cats. Neither of us are fond of fish, birds or hamsters! Plus, they’re so expensive that I don’t know if we could even afford one right now. But I imagine down the road we’ll get a little dog – but not a big one! I’m scared of big dogs.
MARY ,
One of these days I’ll just have to get a slow cooker…I just gotta convince the husband I’d actually use it.
Anne P,
Glad you had fun!! I can’t wait to see it tonight 🙂
K
MARY says
Kath
I AWAYS do my beans overnight in the slow cooker – I use chicken stock to cover (and last time I added a Honey Baked Ham bone I had left over). The beans were delish – wash them first, of course, but no soaking! I had them over brown rice – have you had the frozen brown rice from TJ’s?? Yummo!!
Anne P says
Kath you should come to DC and play with me and my girlfriends 🙂 The movie last night was fun! We all dressed up and had drinks after. I didn’t love the movie as much as I thought I would, but it was definitely entertaining, and of course the clothes were fabulous!! Have fun tonight! The husband should give a report of what he thought afterwards 😉
Jess says
I never would have bought myself a slow cooker, either – my mom didn’t cook with one, and I just never thought I would use it. But someone gave us one for Christmas one year, and now I’m hooked! It’s so convenient – I love putting dinner in before I leave for work and knowing that it will be ready when I come home! And there are entire cookbooks devoted to them – so finding ways to use it is not a problem! It is one of the few kitchen appliances that I can’t imagine going without!
melissa says
you might not read this, but i SO hear what you’re saying about meeting people when you’re young and without kids.
we’re three years out of undergrad in a small college town (i work at the college and my fiance is working on his masters). we meet lots of people, but they always either have kids (and want to do kid-centric things or talk about their kids 24/7) or they’re only interested in bar trolling. very disappointing.
maybe we should start an online community/blog for like minded people. both to keep each other bolstered and share tips about when/where to meet others.
lucy says
i totally agree with the last commenter and you! i moved with my bf of 3 yrs to boston pretty recently and it’s been so hard to meet people who are interested in the things we are (and not heavily hitting the bar scene) and are our age (25) i’m hoping it gets a bit easier when more of our friends are in serious relationships and settling down as we are 🙂
Kath says
melissa ,
Love “bar trolling.” Very true.
Lucy,
My sister and her BF are moving to Boston later this month. Maybe you could be friends!?
Kath