HF4F

Erica Diaz July 27, 2012

Today I am guest posting on this blog! You should go & check it out!!
(Hint: Wedding planning tutorial) --------> It's helpful, I promise. Go see for yourself!

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I am linking up again with Lauren for this week's Top 5:

1. Had a goodbye dinner for my awesome cousin who will be starting a new chapter of her life in Chicago next week!!

2. Went back to Crossfit!

3. Bought the entire Whole Foods Meat department.

4. Made black beans from scratch!!

5. Found this adorable vase to put our Siesta Key beach shells in!!

This weekend is already looking pretty jam packed! We are going to be working on the yard, shopping for floor, registering & attending my future s-i-l's bachlorette dinner! I can't wait for her big day!!

Have a blessed weekend!

Guess What We're Doing This Weekend??

Erica Diaz July 26, 2012

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Registering!!

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to do this with my fiance!

We are registering at Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Sur la Table & Macy's.

We figured these stores will give us a nice variety to choose from.

Although you can now register online without having to go into the store, we would much rather do it the old fashioned way & use the scanner!

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Want to see some awesome items I've been eying??

{Le Creuset Cast Iron Cookware}

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{Knife Sets}

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{Coastal Decor}

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We have decided that we want everything in our home to be in the blue, green, white and cream family. Remember our coastal paint colors? Hopefully, my ~~worst character trait~~ indecisiveness will not come out this weekend!

I'll make sure to update you with some registering tips next week!

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P.S If you have an extra minute today, go and check out this blog. I was asked to be a guest blogger!

Cuban Black Bean Soup

Erica Diaz July 25, 2012

Growing up in a Cuban household, black beans were a huge part of my life. There was nothing more delicious than coming home to the smell of beans simmering on the stove.

This week, I started my "wedding diet" again. Luckily, most beans soups are low in calories, packed with protein and super yummy!

Before we get started, I want to explain what actually makes these beans "Cuban".

{Cuban Sofrito: Green Pepper, Onions & Garlic Sauteed in Oil}
These simple ingredients are the base to almost any Cuban soup or stew. You will find out how to incorporate this later.

Ingredients:

1 lb dry black beans
1/2 c. white wine
2 Tbs red wine vinegar
1 green bell pepper, cored
1 garlic head, chopped
1 large onion
2 carrots
1/4 c. parsley
2 Tbs olive oil
7 c. water
2 tsp cumin
salt/pepper, to taste
2 tbs oregano
2 bay leaves
1 chicken bullion
2 chicken drumsticks

How to:

Night Before
1. Rinse black beans & drain.
2. Let beans soak overnight in 6 cups of water.

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Tenderizing Beans
1. Drain the water that beans were soaking in.
2. Add 7 c. fresh water over beans & bring to a boil.
3. Add 1 Tbs olive oil, 1/2 green pepper, 1/2 onion, 4 cloves of garlic & whole drum sticks.
4. Cover with lid & boil for 1 hour until beans are semi tender.

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Sofrito
1. While beans are boiling, chop remainder of onion, green pepper, garlic cloves, carrots & parsley.
2. In a skillet, heat 1 Tbs olive oil with onion & pepper for about 3 minutes.
3. Then add garlic, carrots, parsley & salt/pepper.
4. Cook on low to medium until onions turn translucent.
5. Set aside.

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Incorporating Ingredients
1. After beans have boiled for 1 hour, add "Sofrito" to pot.
2. Add white wine, red wine vinegar, cumin, salt/pepper, oregano, chicken bullion & bay leaves.
3. Let cook boil for 1 hour or until tender.
4. After it has cooked, take out bay leaves & drum sticks.
5. Shred chicken & place meat back in soup without the bone.
6. To thicken, cook with lid off & blend a portion of the soup to create a thicker consistency. Pour back in.

Remember to add extra salt/pepper at the end if you do not find it tasteful enough. I add a few pinches at a time until I get it to where I like it.

There you have it!! Tradition Cuban Black Bean Soup. This can be served over white rice if desired. This recipe makes a lot, so be prepared to freeze for later!

Siesta Key, Florida

Erica Diaz July 24, 2012

Last week, I was in Siesta Key.

Siesta Key is a small island located off the West Coast of Florida. It was my fourth year in a row there. My fiance has been going for the past 20 years with his family!

Why we love it:

1. Beautiful Views