Tonite's Dinner was a Hit!!!

Black Beans, Brown Rice and Polenta Circles with Gravy

Cuban Black Beans

2 cans of Black Beans (do not drain)

1/2 of an onion

1 teaspoon of minced garlic (or 3 roasted garlic cloves masked with fork)

1/2 of a red pepper

1 large bay leave broken in two (take out before eating)

1/4 teaspoon of sugar

1 tablespoon of white wine

1 tablespoon of red vinegar

small pinch of cumin

small pinch of oregano

salt & pepper to taste

Saute vegetables with a little water and 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil for about 5 minutes.

Add rest of ingredients and simmer with lid slightly tipped for about 20 minutes, until the liquid has thickened a little.  Serve over brown rice.

Sliced Polenta

1 roll of Polenta sliced into 3/8" slices.  Cook on a slightly oiled frying pan.  Season with garlic powder, onion powder and seasoned salt.  Flip a few times until they are a little crispy and serve plain or with gravy below.

Scallion and Mushroom Gravy

I really do not have exact measurements for this gravy but it is very easy to make.  

3-4 scallions sliced thin

2 baby bella mushrooms and stems chopped

1/4 of a roasted pimiento chopped

1 tablespoon bourbon

3-4 sprays of liquid aminos (or about 1 teaspoon)

3 roasted garlic cloves mashed with a fork

1 teaspoon of capers (optional)

1 cup of water

1 teaspoon of arrowroot (replaces corn starch as a thickener)

black pepper or red pepper to bring it up a notch

Saute vegetables with spices and a little water.  Make sure to cook down the bourbon.  Mix the arrowroot in the water and add to pan.  Stir everything together until bubbly and thickened.

This is a tasty gravy that may be used for a variety of dishes, including mashed potatoes.

Mashed Potatoes

Boil quartered potatoes in salted water until done.  Drain most of the water, but leave about a half an inch in the pan.  Add some unsweetened coconut milk to pan and warm over flame, add a couple tablespoons of plain almond milk yogurt (or if making 3 lbs or more the whole container works well).  Remove from flame and bring to the sink.  Use a hand mixer to blend the potatoes right in the pan, add more milk if needed.  Season with salt and pepper.  No butter needed!