Fresh Dill and Parsley

No Tomatoes in January or Roasted Beets with Walnuts and Gorgonzola

 

There were no tomatoes in January or February for most of my childhood. Not even in March. The supermarkets were mostly empty and eating in season was not another foodie trend but reality. In case you didn't get a chance to read the "About me" page, I was born in Romania sometime before 1989 when things were not so good.  What was going on at that time? In 1981 the Communist leadership decided to pay off foreign debt which meant that most  goods produced in Romania were exported and the revenues from such exports went to the payment of the foreign debt, leaving very little for domestic consumption. Hence the empty supermarkets. And long waiting lines when finally sugar or butter or skinny little chickens were delivered to one the stores. And people always carried their own bag in case such an event unexpectedly occurred, yet another current trend that was a necessity for us. 

Quick and Easy Bean Stew

 

There are times when I value expediency over wholesomeness.  Busy season is in full swing at work leaving little time for elaborate, time-consuming dished.  I do realize that the words "quick" and "stew" don't belong together but what makes this dish quick is the use of canned pinto beans instead of dried beans which need to be soacked overnight and take much long  to cook than canned beans. Shortcuts are necessary at times and I am not afraid to use them especially when work gets busy.