Do you believe?

He’ll free us out, trapped 
in our tomb , wrapped in darkness.
Because He loves us.

In the Face of Fear and Uncertainties

Where is God we ask
We found Him among us as
we help each other.

Vita Mix Five Ingredient Black Bean Soup

Though I have lots of time in my hands because of the lockdown due to Covid-19. I still resort to dump-in-one-cooking-vessel recipes. I hate doing dishes. Vita Mix is one of my go to cooking gadget to cater to my sometimes lazy cooking style.

Vita Mix that is capable of heating up is perfect for making soups and I used it when I adapted my friend, Linda Jomes’ black bean soup she demonstrated to the members of the  Plant Based Pittsburgh group. It took only less than 8 minutes to heat up the ingredients.

The recipe utilizes just five ingredients you usually have in your pantry or fridge. The use of salsa is brilliant and gives the soup acidity and spice. You do not need to chop numerous spices.   This is simple and yet delicious and as comforting as a hug which we need these days.

Vita Mix Five Ingredient Black Bean Soup

Adapted from Linda Jones’ recipe

• 1-15 oz can black beans, undrained 
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 tsp cumin 
• 1/4 tsp chili powder

Add all the ingredients in the Vita Mix and blend at highest setting or speed till the contents are hot. 

Serve with tomato, green onions and/or chips. 

Lorraine’s Banana Bread

This is the best banana bread recipe I have used. It is based on the recipe submitted by my friend and co associate, Lorraine called Banana Chocolate Loaf for our cookbook Recipes and Reflections of the Associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph Baden, Pennsylvania. My husband does not eat chocolate later in the day since it can disturb his sleep at night, so I skipped the chocolate chips in the original recipe.  Still the bread is moist and delicious. The best.

Lorraine’s Banana Bread

• 1/2 cup butter at room temperature 
• 1 1/2 cup sugar 
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed 
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda

Spray 2 loaf pans with non stick vegetable spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl or electric mixer until well blended and creamy. 

Add milk, bananas, eggs and vanilla and mix till blended. 

In separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda, and stir to combine all dry ingredients and add to butter mixture, mix until just blended. 

Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 55 to 60 minutes or until tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool. Makes 20 to 24 slices. 

Note:

If using four small loaf pans bake for 45 minutes. 

If using muffin pans filled 3/4 full bake for 25 minutes. 

Instant Pot Pork Afritada

Being homebound due to the Covid-19 calls for comfort food that is easy.  I resorted to cooking in my Instant Pot one of the Filipinos' go to comfort food we refer to as afritada. It is chicken or pork cooked in tomatoes.  I used pork this time and since I like my carrots, celery and green pepper not mushy I pressure cooked them for one minute after I pressure cooked the meat.  I am happy with the result.  Nice eat while bingeing on Law and Order marathon tv reruns.

Instant Pot Pork Afritada

Inspired by this recipe and this in this blog

• 3 lb pork country ribs or any other type, cut into one or one half inch cubes
• 1 onion, chopped or 2 tsp minced dry onions
• 2 garlic cloves, minced or 2 tsp dry garlic flakes
• 4 potatoes, cut into 1-cubes 
• 1-14 oz can diced tomatoes 
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 to 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tsp whole peppercorn
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 green pepper, sliced 
• 4 carrots, sliced into 1 inch pieces
• 3 stalks celery, sliced 

Place all the ingredients except the carrots, celery and green pepper in the Instant Pot.

Cook at high pressure for 20 minutes. Quick release. Then add the carrots, celery and green pepper. Cook at high pressure for 1 minute.  Serve with rice.

My Friend Merly

I was in disbelief to read in her sister's Lily's Facebook post that my friend Merly died yesterday afternoon .  I felt very sad and flashes of our times together in Washington DC swept through my memory. Her sweet face graced every scene as well as her calm pragmatic demeanor. 

Merly and her sister lived in the apartment below mine at 2124 I Street Washington DC.  I stayed in that apartment building during most of my years at Washington DC finishing my MS in Chemistry degree at the George Washington University. I was a frequent visitor at their place and what immediately appeared in my mind is her sweeping the floor with a tambo, a type of broom from the Philippines in one of my visits.  I remember her saying to me as she followed me around with the tambo that she would not mind spending her life following me around tidying after me.  I did not mind the comment or care what it meant or its connotation.  I trusted her that she did not mean anything I should be insulted about. I felt a certain fondness for me in her voice.

I am writing this as I woke up after reading the post to make sense of how short life is. I was overwhelmed by the loss and the memories of that time in my life where Merly and  her sister Lily were parts of.  Nostalgia gripped me.  Remembering the memories was tinged with sadness and a sinking feeling in the heart and stomach.  At the same time a sense of gratefulness engulfed me realizing how lucky I was to have Merly and Lily for making those times spent at 2124 I Street beautiful and filled with happy fun times, Thank you Merly and rest in peace.  I do not think you need to sweep or tidy up after anybody up there in heaven.

Instant Pot Chinese Sticky Rice

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• I found another use for my arborio rice with an Asian flair. I substituted it for the sticky rice in the Chinese Sticky Rice recipe. I prefer not to have too many stuff in my pantry and did not buy sticky rice at the Asian store and thought of using my arborio rice that came in a big jar instead. This is close to what I was craving for when I woke up one morning.  It was so good I ate the whole thing in one day. 
• I used my Instant Pot for a one step preparation. The dried shiitake mushrooms were soft and the combination of spices spot on.

• Instant Pot Chinese Sticky Rice

• 1/2 cup dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 cup arborio rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons Hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 pieces Star anise
• 1/8 tsp schichuan pepper, optional
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• Place all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes then quick release. Cut the shiitake mushrooms into small pieces before serving.

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Instant Pot Haluski

Fish fry during lenten season evokes memories of haluski as a side dish and that means cravings for this comfort food.  I decided to make it in the Instant Pot to satisfy this yearning. 

Most haluskis are swimming in butter but I skipped that and I was still happy. The cabbage is a bit soft but I actually did not mind it.  It was indeed comforting since my friend Margaret who is recuperating from surgery loved it.  She was delighted and excited when I told her about it during my visit. She emailed me later she just had to have it when I left.

Complete your fish dinner with this easy and delicious comfort food.

Instant Pot Haluski

1 lb egg noodles
1/2 head Cabbage, cored and quartered
1 onion, chopped
4 cups water
1 tsp salt

Place all the ingredients in the Instant Pot.  It is all right if not all noodles are covered with water.

Put vent in sealing position and cook mixture at high pressure for 1 minute. Naturally release pressure for 5 minutes then quick release.

Season haluski with salt and pepper to your taste.