Good food. Better life.
I really like this version of split pea soup because it’s brothy, rather than thick like a stew. Artisan rolls or slices of bread with a pat of creamy butter are a must for dipping in the filling soup. I usually serve a simple side salad of romaine mixed with escarole (or other bitter lettuce) and shredded carrots in a mustard vinaigrette.
Served with Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 salad-
When I first moved to Tampa, Florida, I had never heard of black beans, let alone tasted them. A staple of Cuban food, black beans are very versatile and used almost everyday. Now I eat them on a regular basis, and this is my version of Moros Y Cristianos (Moors and Christians), by far my family’s favorite recipe for this humble bean.
The name of this dish refers to the wars between the Moors (blacks) and the Spaniards (whites). It is a reminder of the Spanish influence on Cuba.
The Columbia is a famous Spanish restaurant in Tampa. It is known for its flamingo dancers and authentic Spanish/Cuban cuisine; the 1905 salad being one of its specialties. This is my vegetarian version, as I have omitted the meat and changed out the iceberg to butter lettuces.
This is an extremely versatile bean dish. I have served this as a main meal over brown rice with lots of veggie sides and as a side dish to grilled meats. The leftovers are perfect for using in Wild Rice and White Bean Stuffed Tomatoes (see The Whole Meal for the recipe). The mashed garlic really adds unique flavor (as well as being great for cardiovascular and immune health).
Although I usually think of lentils for fall or winter, this slow cooker version is also warm weather friendly, especially topped with cooling yogurt. I developed this when one morning I looked in my pantry for something to put in my slow cooker and found a bag of brown lentils. Bingo!
I created The Whole Meal with a vision of educating others in mealtime preparation focusing on delicious, healthy and simple recipes. To good food and a better life!