1 cup dried kidney beans, soaked for 6-8 hours and drained

3 cups water

2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 shallot, coarsely chopped

2 tsp dried oregano

1 1/2 cups arborio rice

1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

pinch of cayenne pepper

sea salt

3 1/2 to 4 cups vegetable stock or water

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1/2 cup nutritional yeast

ground black pepper

optional garnishes (chopped fresh basil, olives or chopped red onion)

Combine the beans and water (and a strip of kombu to aid digestion) in a pot, cover, and bring to a boil.  Turn heat to low and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.  Add 1/8 tsp salt after fully cooked.

Bring the stock to a simmer in another pot.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over high heat.  Add the garlic, shallot and oregano and saute for a minute or two.  Stir in the rice until it is coated with olive oil.  Add the corn and cayenne.  Stir in the hot stock, about 1/2 cup at a time.  Reduce the heat to medium and stir often.  When the stock is absorbed, add another 1/2 cup and stir.  Continue to cook and stir, adding stock 1/2 cup at a time, until the rice is soft and creamy.  The risotto will take about 30 minutes to cook.

While the rice is cooking, mix the tomato paste in with the cooked kidney beans.  Add a small amount of water if needed.  When the rice is done, add the beans to the pan and mix.  Add nutritional yeast and mix.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish with chopped fresh basil and red onion if desired.

We both chose the Organic Pancakes: Two big pancakes made from emmer faro heirloom wheat, yogurt, brown sugar and vanilla ($9) and a side order of peppered bacon ($3).  The pancakes included a trip to the toppings bar, which held bowls of strawberries, peaches (canned?), blueberries, sliced almonds, brown sugar, whipped butter, whipped cream and syrup.  This is Mr Shuck’s pancake creation:

Portage Bay Cafe's Pancakes: Click to enlarge

The pancakes were yummy and smelled amazing.   The peppered bacon seemed to have had pepper sprinkled on it before it was cooked.  I was expecting pepper cured bacon, I guess.  Most of the bacon came home with us for a salad later.  After the huge serving of pancakes, neither of us could squeeze in the bacon anyway.

We’d both go back!

Tacos from Marination

From left to right: Beef, pork, chicken, chicken.  I know they all look the same because of all the slaw but they were very distinctive.  $2 each.  They are a little small, but the price is about right.

We will definitely return.

Cutie Pie

click on photos to enlarge

So, I ordered a complaint bracelet from A Complaint Free World.org.  Immediately afterward, I complained a bit.  I haven’t started my quest towards complaining yet, so I will voice my complaints.

1.  It’s going to take 1-2 weeks before their volunteers are able to ship my order!  I have to wait a few more weeks before starting my task!  On the positive note: I have to wait a few more weeks before starting my task.  I can complain all I want until I receive my bracelet.  YAY!

2.  The bracelets are now $1 instead of free.  I can afford the dollar, just wasn’t expecting to have to get my wallet out since the book said the bracelets are free.  Granted the book was published before we entered a recession….

Start date of Complaint Free Life will be posted.

Hershey and his duck