Maybe other kids choose books. Tonight, Ana requested her blocks to “keep her company” as she practiced on the potty. We are really good at sitting on the potty as you can see. We just thought that this request was a hoot. She sat there for awhile, and we did have a little success. 🙂
If you are thinking that I have posted a lot today, you are right. I take advantage of the time when our good computer is home and not off with Greg. We also have had a lot to share. I love to journal and this website serves as my outlet in that sense…
We are very blessed to have such sweet neighbors. We occupy the downstairs of a house where the owners live upstairs with their three sons. The Pinto Family is such a kind group, and they were sweet to include us for their celebration of Mother’s Day today. It wasn’t exactly like being with family, but my prayer is that the Pintos will become very much like our Peruvian family here. They love to interact with Ana and I would love nothing else than for Ana to have an “adopted set” of grandparents living upstairs from us in our time here.
They served a tradional soup called Caldo Blanco for the first course and then the ever famous Arequipa dish of Rocoto Relleno and Pastel de Papas (a stuffed pepper and potatoes layered with cream and cheese). It was all very delicious and we were definitely full by the end. An added bonus is that they served lunch from the other side of the apartment that we are planning to rent and hadn’t seen yet. So, we got a tour of the “other side” today. We LOVE it.
to the left: Caldo Blanco (like a chicken soup with potatoes and rice) to the right: Rocoto Relleno and Pastel de Papas
Meet the Pinto Family and see some pictures from the celebration…
Again, low-budget is good. Though we haven’t found the perfect sausage to go in this recipe (something we really miss from the states), we really like the flavors. It is something I can prepare early and smell simmering in the pot all morning. If you like spicy, this is a good one for you.
Red Beans and Rice
1 pound dry kidney beans
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 stalks celery, chopped
6 cups water
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
4 cups water
2 cups long grain white rice
1. Rinse beans, and then soak in a large pot of water overnight.
2. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, garlic, and celery in olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Rinse beans, and transfer to a large pot with 6 cups water. Stir cooked vegetables into beans. Season with bay leaves, cayenne pepper, thyme, sage, parsley, and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
4. Stir sausage into beans, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, prepare the rice. In a saucepan, bring water and rice to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve beans over steamed white rice.
Greg & Meg 