Double Decker (Special) Brownies

How to Make Mami's Beans

ok, So I understand the above doesn't look so appetizing, but I promise it's all well worth it ;) 

When you make real beans like Mami, the beans come in a bag. You've got to soak the muthafuckas over night and honestly, I don't have the time for it. Eventually, when I'm a Mami myself, I'll do it. For now, I just need that homemade taste to keep me sane. 

Ingredients:

1 can (red or black, your choice) Goya Beans - $1.99

1/3 pack Bacon - $3.99
*I don't eat enough bacon, so I cut my pack in thirds
 and freeze the rest to make it last longer.

Assorted Seasonings - (click here for list.)

Homemade Seasoning - (click here for details.)

Cookware: 

Small sauce pan

Can opener
Spoon & Fork? lol

:)

Directions:

1. Pre-cook your homemade seasoning in about a tsp of oil.

2. Cook the bacon in your sauce pan. You can cut the back up as small as you'd like. Ideally, Mami would have put real ham into the beans --thats where the real flavor comes from-- but we're working on a single woman's schedule, here.

 3. Pour beans into the saucepan. Use the entire can. I usually add about 1/4 can of water (to get out all the stuff @ the bottom). You have to gauge this depending on how thick you like your beans. Some people like the beans more than the sauce. I'm a sauce girl ;) 

**If you want your beans thicker, use a spoon or fork to mash some of the beans. This will let some of that taste get into the sauce as well. 

3. Season the mixture as you would any piece of meat. Go in on what you love most. Oregano, garlic,  Adobo & about 1/2 a pack of "Sazon" are really all you need for this, though. 

4. Simmer for as however long it takes the rest of your food to finish.

All done!

Dominican Dinner: Arroz, Habichuelas, Tostones y Chuletas

Chocolate Chip & Cinnamon Cookies

Made these as a "Welcome Home" gift for a co-worker. 

**Remember anyone can make cookies. Making simple desserts like this will help you exercise your timing skills and patience while cooking. If you "can't" cook, start with dishes like these to get comfortable with your kitchen.  

Good luck! 

Ingredients:

1 package Betty Crocker Cookie Mix - $3.49

1 Stick Butter (softened, NOT melted) - 2 Pack for $1.99

Cinnamon (to taste) - $0.99

1 egg - 1 Dozen for 1.50

Cookware: 

-Cookie Sheet

-Mixing Bowl

-Mixing Spoon

-Cookie cooling rack

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F

 2. Mix cookie mix, butter and cinnamon (to your taste, I like a lot) in mixing bowl. 

**In this step, you can add what you want. Try raisins, vanilla, toffee, M&Ms or anything else you want. Cater your ingredients to whoever is eating. Ie., kids might prefer M&Ms to raisins, but raising will go over better if you bring these in for co-workers.  All you need to make a dish your own is to add one simple ingredient ;) It just takes a little bravery! Own it! 

3. Scoop spoon fulls ( or tbsp) 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. (Don't press yourself to fit them all on the same sheet. You can do another round) 

4. Bake for 10 minutes & place on cookie sheet.

All done!