Quinoa Bed, Baked Bean Roof and Spinach Mote

I assembled my plate thinking of my family home growing up.  A mote of protection from the minerals of greens represented how my parents and family protected my childhood innocence.  The foundation of quinoa serves as a protein, the building blocks of great things, just like the love and teachings I received at such a young age, preparing me for life outside the nest.  Baked beans on top represent the vast amount of sweet memories–full of laughter, dancing, and lots of family trips.  I used to love baked beans as a child.  I thought my Mother was so cool for giving me something so sweet and filling for dinner.  I don’t eat them the same way as we did back then, with kosher hot dogs, but I still love them all the same–maybe even more so now that they’re a little healthier in some respects.

Quinoa cooked in a touch of olive oil, garlic and onion powder served as the perfect bed to a sweet bath of baked beans simmered with maple syrup, a touch of mustard, green peppers and onions.  I have to get my greens in, every chance I get (spinach pancakes coming soon!), so I sauteed spinach with tamari, sesame, garlic and onion powder.  It came out succulent and surprisingly harmonious with the beans.

I love when meals work out like this.  When I can close my eyes and feel the dish make my childhood and adulthood shake hands with one another.  I can see my Mother‘s huge skillet simmering her “pork & beans” (minus the pork, always though) and her shaking her hips in the kitchen.  She had the power of Bes and could make any dish come to life and provide nutrients for our body’s and souls.  I only hope I can do the same through my cooking and passed down culinary-dancing rituals 🙂

sidenote: my kids ate it!  It took a little negotiating but once it hit their palettes they were in love <3

About Jeanette 137 Articles
This is me being me so that you will be you. I'm a woman who smiles till my cheeks ache, crochets until my fingers twitch, hugs the hell out of my Hubby and children and in between these things I make the time to read, cook, write and attempt to inspire others to do something to improve their overall health.

1 Comment

  1. Looks delicious and filling!!! I don’t think I’ve ever really had baked beans. They weren’t really a thing in my country but they look tasty. Might have to make a home cooked version. They look really tasty.

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