Tangy Sweet Baked Beans (VEG)

We grilled chicken for dinner tonight, nothing special really, I used a store bought marinade.  But I love a good baked bean dish with grilled chicken.  Opened the cabinet in hope that I had a can hiding in the back and was disappointed to see only some diced tomatoes, soup and a few cans of other beans.  Huge bummer. 

Then I thought, why not make some of my own? 

So I cruised the cabinets and the fridge and pulled together a tangy sweet baked bean recipe that had the kids clamoring for seconds.  I was delighted with the results and definitely wanted to share it. In addition, it's vegan so if you have friends and family who avoid animal products, this recipe is rich and full and doesn't miss the bacon at all.

Tangy Sweet Baked Beans (veg)

Easy Pasta Sauce

My mom grew up in an Italian neighborhood in New Jersey.  She's not Italian but the hearty neighborhood cuisine definitely made an impression.  When she had her own big family, what better to feed a crew than pastas galore.  Testing my culinary skills in college, I asked mom to pass along her spaghetti sauce recipe hoping to replicate the spicy, earthy aroma I remembered from home.  Well, as anyone who has tried to replicate her mother's recipes can tell you.....IT DOESN'T WORK.  Very frustrating.

So I used what mom taught me and played with it until I came up with a simple recipe of my own.  I like to make a big pot for dinner then throw the leftovers in the fridge or freezer for another day.  Saves time and money not having to get jar sauce (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Easy Pasta Sauce

Lagniappe: Southwest Scramble

The Southwest Scramble uses the leftovers from Sloppy Jose's to create a yummy, hearty, and quick breakfast scramble.  This is a vegetarian meal but some breakfast sausage or ham would be a delicious addition.

Serves 2-4

Southwest Scramble

Lagniappe: A Little Something Extra

My dad is from Southern Louisiana and I spent quite a bit of time there myself.  In Cajun culture, there's something called Lagniappe (LAN-yop) which roughly translates to "A little something extra" and  usually refers to a small perk or gift given to a customer by a merchant (like a baker's dozen).  Sometimes it's used to entice someone into staying ("Have another drink." "No, I've had enough."  "Come on, this is for Lagniappe.") 

I've always loved this part of my family's culture, it's an understanding of gratitude and goodwill, a sense of wanting to share something else with your customer or just your fellow man.  It can be used flirtatiously, as part of driving a hard bargain, or even as a way to entice that favorite niece or nephew to visit a few more minutes.  Wanting to give something extra isn't always part of American culture, we want to give less, to maximize profit, to hold onto our valuables.  Why not give a little more and increase your sense of well-being once in a while instead of your profit margin?

So as I share my family's recipes, I'll toss in some Lagniappe recipes - a little something extra to share from my family to yours.  The best part about these?  They'll use up the odds and ends from other recipes.  So less waste, more taste, and full bellies all around.

Sloppy Jose's

Looking for something a little different for dinner, I came up with this Southwestern inspired twist on classic Sloppy Joes.  We love Tex-Mex food and I often have the basics already on hand.  It's an inexpensive meal that's a breeze to throw together and the kids love it.

Serve with a salad or wrap them up in aluminum foil for a meal on-the-go.

Sloppy Jose's