Kinda snoozy Saturday

We've been both busy and lazy today: Tae Kwon Do and Ikea alongside lazing about in the yard and watching Myth Busters. I can deal with this mix! From the second I woke up this morning -5am! Thanks a lot you stinking cat!- I knew I had to make muffins. Had to have them. So I browned some butter and made strawberry muffins with just a hint of cardamom. While at Tae Kwon Do, Jack was seized with a yen for salted salmon-stuffed onigiri (Japanese rice balls) so after class we went a got the makings for it. Thank god it's something other than pesto pasta- his study of Japan in school is prompting all kinds of goodness and various interests.

Ol and I enjoyed salads with greens just plucked from our VegTrug, and I spent a nice while in the chaise lounge pretending to read but really just watching cat-on-a-leash pounce around and snapping pictures. I am thrilled that a bird family has made a nest under our deck. It's very shabby-chic, yes?

Pinquitos RB&R, strawberry muffins

Recently, I ordered some cassoulet beans from Rancho Gordo, a Napa-based company that specializes in heirloom beans as well as spices, grains and a few other, top-quality goods. The cassoulet beans were part of a bean-bundle in which I also received some pinquitos, small pinky-red beans often used for chili and barbeque.

They stay pretty firm during cooking, even when simmered for hours. I'd started soaking a pound on Monday so by last night figured I'd best get them cooking. Red beans and rice sounded wonderful, and the pinquitos seemed much more light and springy than the usual red kidneys I use. I replaced all but one link of andouille with liquid smoke and the end result was an absolutely delicious, definitely lightened, super-comforting, lots-of-leftovers meal.

This morning, Oliver insisted we make muffins as our freezer stash was empty. Following my strawberry haul last Saturday, I had but one pint left so we used half of those and made strawberry muffins with vanilla and brown butter. To.die.for.

I find photographing muffins an ever-difficult job so know that in person, these are less dense and puck-y than they appear. Have I mentioned that it is beautiful here, and I love spring, and I'm so happy it's here?

Strawberry Muffins and Dead Servers

Crazy morning!   I apologize to any readers who tried to access the site last night.  Our server seems to have died so Em-i-lis has migrated to a new one.   We did have time for some delicious strawberry muffins.  More to come later, and I will post this recipe. It's fab!