Beans and Greens and Art

So happy to be here sharing a couple of absolutely perfect recipes on this special day. Let’s start with: Creamy, Spicy Tomato Beans and Greens

I made this on a whim, looking to use up a couple of things that had been languishing in my pantry for months and months. I wasn’t expecting much, frankly. The ingredient list isn’t long and the components are pretty humble. But it ended up one of the best dishes I’d made in weeks and immediately went in my “MAKE AGAIN” mental Rolodex.

The beans are satisfying on its own: they’re bathed in this creamy, cheesy, deeply savory sauce and could easily be eaten alone. But the author, Alexa Weibel, really gilds the lily and makes this a complete one-pan meal, by adding a ridiculously minimalist arugula-panko salad to the top.

I like my recipes like I like my men: cheap and easy. This definitely fits the bill…but it doesn’t taste cheap or easy at all.

Next up is Ali Slagle’s Skillet Fish with White Beans and Asparagus

(My spouse doesn’t care for beans, so I substituted cut-up par-cooked waxy potatoes for them. They worked perfectly. I made the first dish while he was out of town.)

This recipe is genius. The salmon and beans almost become a confit when they braise in a generous amount of lemon-red pepper oil which is lovely. But what makes this recipe really sing is the lemon-dressed coins of asparagus you use to top the salmon and beans. They’re crunchy and sweet and fresh and grassy and such wonderful contrast to the main components. Just absolutely magical. Plus, it’s food I feel good about eating.

As part of today’s celebration, I will be giving away 3 small prints of my art. I’ll share the thumbnails here as a teaser.

Enjoy and Bon Appetit!