Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Green Beans , etc.

Lunch choice for today was accidental (down below is why). So after all the drama I went through today, I didn't have any appetite for food and for cooking. 
I made a simple but as my husband puts it, a "sexy hot" dish.
As you know from my previous posts, now I live in the area where organic food, and good vegetables per se  are rare find. In a local supermarkets there is a small produce section with only one-two organic items in it. Not good enough. 
Therefore I buy my produce at the little store with a cute name "Squash Blossom". They have some basic organic vegetables and fruits in stock, and if I want an extra I just have to order a box.  
And a box of green beans arrived...






I cut the ends from the beans, washed it and boiled it for 2-3 minutes. 






In a cast iron skillet I heated a Tbsp of olive oil, added 1/4 tsp hot pepper paste and 1 tsp fire roasted tomatoes flakes. 








One stir, and green beans went in the skillet. 
Another 30 seconds, another stir, and it's ready. 
Seasoned with a good quality sea salt and pepper to taste. I served it with a leftover pasta from yesterday (I don't like to through away food). 
Potatoes  would be my other choice. 
Shave a few strips of a sharp cheese on top. 
Crunchy, flavorful, and hot(spicy) - all I needed for lunch today.




***


For about a week I my energy level was lower than usual. On Monday I couldn't run my five miles, and had to cut it down to 3,2 miles. On Tuesday I had one yoga class only instead of planned two. 
My first thought was that I was coming down with a cold. Until this morning, when I woke up from a toothache at 4 AM. I got out of a bed, took Alive, and impatiently (meaning I was walking back and forth, checking clock every 5 minutes just to see that only 5 minutes passed) waited for a reasonable time to call the dentist office. By the time office was suppose to be open, I was all ready to go without even the call. They were very nice to see me immediately, and my dentist announced his verdict: I have an infection because my wisdom tooth lost it's filling. Bummer! 
Deep breath, another one... Nothing I can do about it, so just accept it. Another news, the tooth has to go... after I treat the inflammation with antibiotics for a week.  
And my saga with the dentist begins... I need to tell a little secret, which is not that little in my mind: I am panically afraid of any dentists. 
So this week is going to be a very interesting one: I need to talk myself into the fact that I HAVE to see the dentist in a week again. 
Deeeeep sigh. Another... I am brave... I can do it... 


***


Do you want to know what was planned for lunch today? 
Squash spread from the Weekend in Photos post. 
It is coming, stay tuned!






Until next time,
Cowboy Country Vegetarian

23 comments:

  1. Good luck at the dentist's! I have to get my wisdom teeth removed, they don't hurt but they are pushing my other teeth. I am not afraid of the dentist but I've never gotten a tooth removed! My mentality is, there is no point in getting nervous, once he is in there there's nothing I can do, I just have to give in...go with the flow :-) Easier said than done, right? Those beans look amazing!

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    1. Thank you Ruth. They tasted amazing to, that combination of fire roasted flakes really gave an interesting flavor to it.

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  2. Marina, Thank you for stopping by The Saucy Gourmet!!! I am now a loyal follower of Cowboy Country Vegetarian!! Looking forward to sharing MANY more recipes. Shari
    PS, I hate the going to the dentist and I even worked as a receptionist in a dentist office for 2 years :) Good luck!!!

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    1. Thank you Shari. I am glad you came here. I do hope to share many recipes with you.

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  3. I like the spicy flavour that you added to the beans-they look delicious! :)

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    1. Thank you! Sometimes going easy is the best way to go, isn't it? It was a sample portion. Now I have to make another batch and double the amount: everyone loved it, even non-vegetarian son was crunching on it.

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  4. SO sorry to hear about your tooth! I had all of my wisdom teeth out when I was a senior in high school. I don't envy you the puffy cheeks, but it only lasts a little while. Hopefully you will be fine in no time.

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    1. Thank you Kristen for your supporting words. They mean a lot to me. I wander why I didn't have it pooled along with others when I was in high school?! I remember dentist saying something about not enough room... I guess, now there is plenty of "room" and it has to go...:)

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  5. awesome green bean recipe and sorry things have been hard for you

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  6. Oh mannnnn! I hate dentists! Hope you're feeling better. Eek, poor you. At least it isn't anything worse ... but then, what could be worse than having a tooth pulled? I'm not helping, am I? If it makes it any better, I love this dish. Simply stir fried with chillies ... I could eat the whole thing by myself! Looks great! Gosh, I'm getting hungry...

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    1. Thank you! your comment made me smile, so yes, you helped! :)

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  7. Hi Marina, I am new to your blog. You have a lovely space. Love your beans pics...they look so green and crunchy...sorry to hear about your tooth...
    Cheers,
    Suchi

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    1. Thank you Suchi. I am glad you like this place. and I hope to see you here again.

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  8. Green beans looks super good..:)) Always loved such simple preparations..:))

    Happy to visit your blog..

    Wonderful..
    Reva

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    1. Thank you Reva. Simple preparations sometimes are our lifesavers. I love it too. I believe the simplier food is prepared, more natural taste is in it.

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  9. Oh, you poor thing...at least you found out why you were feeling poorly. And those beans look so fresh and fabulous...so yummy!

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  10. I gotta say so glad you stopped my my blog - it's nice to see another Arkansan blogging! I love green beans. Those look fantastic. I just ran out of those exact fire roasted tomato flakes. I found mine at TJ Maxx and haven't seen them again in a while. So sorry to hear about the tooth.

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  11. Thank you Heather. I am happy to met you too. Are we neighbors? Yes, those tomato flakes I got at TJ max, they have incredible flavor when heated up for 20-30 sec.

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  12. Feel better, and just imagine the dentist is Brad Pitt. These beans are the bomb!

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    1. Are you reading my mind?! I was just thinking that the dentist is kinda cute, which is helpful somewhat...:) Thank you Kim!

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Your warm comments put a smile on my heart.