R & B

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For most North American readers of this blog, the title "R & B" will bring to mind "Rhythm and Blues" - a music genre that is high on my list of favorites. In fact, thanks to internet technology and online radio stations, I'm listening to some good R & B music as I write this blog entry.

However, my readers who have been to Latin America will also think of "Rice & Beans" or "Arroz y Frijoles." It's not possible to go through a day without arroz y frijoles in Latin America, and frijoles (beans) are are served with everything. I've found I actually like beans. (My daughter, Rachel, will likely say I still like them because I have not eaten them often enough.)

Today Jose Luis and Olga asked me what I like best for breakfast, and my answer was heuvos y frijoles (eggs and beans). Olga provides a variety of breakfast foods - mush, fruit, granola, rice & beans, and pancakes (on Saturdays). They were a bit surprised that I said eggs and beans are on my list of favorites. Jose Luis said he thought that when Eileen arrives she might ask why my skin is so dark, and that I might reply, "Because Olga feeds me only beans!!"

In our house the beans are soaked in water and cooked in a large slow cooker for a couple days. There is always a pot of beans on the stove ready to be reheated. Sometimes we eat the beans whole, and other times the beans are pureed in a blender to form a bean paste.

We do have a good variety of food. This evening we had fish, lettuce and cucumber salad, and, oh yes, rice and beans! We also have chicken dinners, beef, wonderful soups and a variety of vegetables - red beets, carrots, potatoes, squash, green beans and plantain. Check out the photo website for pictures of food.