Ingredients

2 Tablespoons olive oil
    6 garlic cloves, peeled and slivered (or minced)
    1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes or 1.75 lbs. fresh roma tomatoes (**see below for instructions on using fresh roma tomatoes)
    1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or a pinch of cayenne)
    1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
    1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
    1/4 teaspoon black pepper
    1 large sprig of fresh basil

Directions

Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Add in the tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, oregano and black pepper, and stir to combine. Add the sprig of fresh basil on top of the sauce, and use a spoon to gently press it below the surface. Continue cooking until the sauce reaches a simmer. Then reduce heat to medium-low and continue to let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the oil on the surface is a deep orange. It will be reduced and thickened. Discard the sprig of basil, and season the sauce with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Remove from heat and serve immediately, or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked quinoa
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced (1 3/4 cup)
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 - 2 cups water (or chicken broth if not making vegetarian)
1 (7 oz) can diced green chiles
2 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (I used one dark red, one light red)
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
Juice of 1 lime

How to :

Heat olive oil in a large enameled cast iron pot over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot add onion and saute until tender, about 4 minutes, adding in garlic during last 30 seconds of sauteing. Add in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cooked quinoa, water (start with 1 1/2 cups then add more later if desired), green chiles, chili powder, cumin, cocoa, paprika, sugar, coriander, cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture just to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover pot and allow to simmer 30 minutes.

Add in all beans, corn, cilantro and lime and cook until heated through. Serve warm with optional toppings and sides (cheddar, sour cream, diced avocados, saltine crackers or tortilla chips).

Ingredients

1/2 C. sugar
1/3 C. flour
pinch of salt
3 eggs, separated
2 C. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 box vanilla wafers
5 ripe bananas, sliced
1/4 C. sugar for meringue
pinch of cream of tartar



How to make it

In a double boiler, whisk together 1/2 C. sugar, flour and salt. Add in the milk and cook over boiling water, stirring constantly, until it thickens (about 10-12 minutes). Whisk in the 3 egg yolks and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla.

In a 1 1/2 quart casserole, place a layer of the wafers on the bottom, top with a layer of bananas and 1/3 of the custard. Continue repeating for 3 layers, ending with custard. In a bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, gradually adding in the 1/4 C. sugar and cream of tartar. Spoon meringue over the top and place in a 425 degree oven for 5 minutes or until topping is lightly browned. Remove and garnish with more vanilla wafers around the edges. Let cool slightly and serve or refrigerate. (I like mine served warm).