When She Came There The Cupboard Was Bare

on
stacy reynaud

You remember that guy back in 2002 that survived a week trapped in his car living off fast food condiments found in his glove box right?

This is my go to recipe when I have no food in the house. It's similar to my Leningrad Stew that I lived off when I was very, very short on money and unemployed. I remember having to stretch $10 in grocery money over a week (thankfully, it was just me). You can buy a lot of rice, beans and nearly rotten vegetables for $10.

What you need:
  1. 1 can mixed beans
  2. juice of half a lemon
  3. 3 tbsp olive oil
  4. 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  5. 1 tsp crushed garlic 
  6. salt and pepper to your liking
  7. plus any veg you may have around  - I use cucumber and celery
  8. for extra protein add one hard boiled egg and some crumbled feta
What you do:
  1. rinse beans until all the bubbly foam stuff is off
  2. combine oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl
  3. add beans
  4. toss until all the beans are well covered
  5. add optional veg and toss again
  6. let marinate for a few hours if you have time
  7. serve at room temperature topped with cheese, hard boiled egg, tomatoes - whatever
  8. keep some fresh sour dough bread on hand to soak up the saucy goodness left over
Serves two

Adapted from Moosewood Cookbook - my all time favourite cookbook!


Keep your pantry well stocked with various varieties of beans, vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice - you'd be surprised at how many different recipes you can come up with.