August 13, 2008

Nine Years Ago Today

My husband and I drove to Cambria get hitched. It was Friday the 13th. He thought it would be great to tell people we got married on what people consider an unlucky day. He contacted the local minister to marry us and we exchanged vows on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was a simple ceremony, just me, him, the minister and a camcorder set up on a tripod!

I don't think he's aware it's our anniversary today. He's preparing dinner and it just so happens he's making Feijoada. It is a stew of black beans with chunks of pork and beef, considered the national dish of Brasil. He had made it easier (and faster) by using a pressure cooker. If you don't have one, just use a large pot and boil longer until beans are tender.

I have never made this myself but I've watched him make it all the time. Here's his recipe:

Ingredients:


2 TB olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 lbs. pork picnic, cut into 2-in cubes
2 ham hocks, smoked
1 bag (16 oz.) black beans

Directions:

In a large pressure cooker pot, heat olive oil until hot over high flame. Add onion and saute until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until soft and fragrant.

Add the bay leaves along with the the pork picnic and stir. Season with kosher salt and freshly-ground pepper.

Put the ham hocks and black beans along with about 8 cups of water (or at least 1 inch over the beans). Cover with pressure cooker lid and let it boil for about 30 minutes.

Turn off heat and let pressure cooker cool a little bit. Open carefully and taste for doneness. You might want to put lid back on to boil, depending on the tenderness of beans or just let it simmer on low heat until beans are tender and sauce has thickened.

Serve with rice. This serves a small army, about 20 people.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Giving away my recipes, eh? Good thing you are such a hotty (and the mother of my three babies) or I might have gotten upset *smile*... Now, wheres that cheesecake recipe of yours... *smoochies*

Anonymous said...

Now this is interesting, the hubby checking on the wife giving away his recipes, lol! By the way, I am a friend of Arlan, I live in Alberta, Canada. Like you, I got married back in 1999, August 7th to be exact though mine is more on melancholic memories now as my husband passed away almost two years ago from lung cancer. Since I see you like cooking a lot, perhaps you should check my link on Dhanggit's kitchen and No special effects.
God Bless!

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