Ham and Beans

Extended Shelf Life for: Ham Bone

After the Christmas meal in Sturgis, I was the lucky winner to receive the ham bone! I was truly thrilled and new that we would be enjoying a simple, quick to assemble soup within a few days of the new year.

Since I primarily use dry beans these days I let about three cups of beans soak over night - I used a combination of kidney, pinto and even some lentils.

In the morning, I threw in a diced onion, the ham bone and additional water and left it on low for the day. Upon returning home I merely had to add some additional spices which I deemed necessary at the time (and currently can't recall) and a single can of tomato sauce just for funsies!

Egg and Rice Breakfast Burritos

The truth is, I'm not in love with my job   co-workers co-worker. And I'm working really hard to battle that, as in trying to be professional, as in trying to put my best self forward for the other co-workers and most importantly the students, because the truth is, I do love my job. I cannot get enough of my students participating and learning and smiling and laughing and having a good time.

But this space isn't for those kinds of observations. However, in an attempt to ensure I'm putting my best self forward, I'm trying to commit to having a fully nutritious and filling breakfast before I step into my work environment. A few days last week, that meant breakfast rice bowls. The last days of last week and the first days of this week, it means these egg and rice breakfast burritos.

I made 6 of them, wrapped them in foil and just after I finish doing my hair in the morning, I pop them in the oven for 10-15 minutes while I do make-up and get dressed. Then, I have a hot and nutritious breakfast. And that's a really small way to ensure I at least start my day in the right direction.

Ingredients/Directions:

Defrost one cup of Rice Pilaf and one cup of Roasted Veggies (or prepare a cup of rice and cup of veggies). In a touch of olive oil, brown about 1 cup of cubed Ham before adding chopped roasted veggies and garlic if you'd like for your morning meal. Meanwhile, whisk together 6-8 eggs and pour over ham and veggies, scramble until eggs are no longer runny. Assemble burritos in large flour tortillas with a bit of rice, small scoop of black beans and the egg mixture (or any breakfast filling you desire, I think next time I'll do the egg mixture and potatoes - no rice or beans), sprinkle on some cheese, roll and wrap in aluminum foil to be heated at a moment's notice.

Roast Vegetables with Cheese Sauce

Again, I've found myself using Pinterest to mark a good idea and to find inspiration. A recent inspiration from the world of Pins and Likes and Re-Pins was a 'Choose Your Cheese - Cheese Sauce". I love cheese. And I love choices and a recipe designed for making substitutes.

I won't go into details on roasting veggies, as it's a fairly self-explanatory concept. This particular dish I threw into the oven a few sweet potatoes, carrots, an onion, bell pepper and some chunks of ham. The veggies had been coated in olive oil, salt and pepper. I left the veggies and ham in the oven until they were cooked through and tender (the sweet potatoes in particular). I also served this dish with rice - Rice, Veggies and Ham, Topped with Cheese Sauce.

As for the Cheese Sauce, it was quite simple and quick to put together. Specific measurements can be found here, however, I'm notorious for simply reading an ingredient list and throwing together the amount I deem acceptable for the time being (or available at the time). Therefore, my cheese sauce looked more like this: Milk, about 1/2 cup (not sure because we were about out, so just dumped the rest of the carton in), melt 2-3 Tbsp. Butter in the milk, whisk in about 2-3 Tbsp. Flour. Heat on stove top, add shreeded cheese (Cheddar for me) about a cup or two, dash of salt, pepper, cayenne pepper and nutmeg. Ensure the cheese has melted and the sauce is your desired consistency, viola - you are finished!