CEiMB: Baked Beans w/Ham & Crunchy Apple Salad

Thanks for all the compliments on this week’s Wordless Wednesday!  My nephew has to be the cutest kid ever, I just LOVE his personality.  Then again, I am probably a bit biased

Today’s eats were kind of random and 100% unplanned.  I think I learned my lesson on WHY I plan out my day BEFORE I head out of the house.  I had actually packed yogurt with pineapple and granola for breakfast, but, it just didn’t sound good.

I wanted some warm, something breakfast-y and filling.  Just when I was about to give in and have my yogurt, my co-worker showed up with SENORITAS!!!

They are straight from the oven, warm, soft and slightly buttery with caramelized sugar bottoms. (6 points+ estimate on the high side, they are small)

Morning Star Breakfast Sausage (2 points+) and pineapple.

I never had a “real” lunch because we usually leave early before our Winter Shut Down.  Lunch became the bread, cheese and cracker plate I made up that we received from Dairi Concepts while I watched the clock tick away  

* 3 slices sourdough baguette (2 points+)

* 5 Wheat Thins (1 points+)

* 4 slices cheese ~ Asiago, Parmesan, Romano and Fontina (6 points+)

After work The Husband and I finished up a little shopping before stopping at Trader Joe’s.  They had the COOLEST RAINBOW as we walked out.  We both whipped out our cameras in the pouring rain to snap some pictures. 

I wish you all could see the TWO rainbows next to each other making 2 perfect 1/2 circles.

Dinner tonight was made to host all my Craving Ellie in My Belly Friends (CEiMB) Cookbook Club Friends.  I picked this recipe awhile back knowing that I wouldn’t have a ton of time Christmas week and I’d want something that would cook FAST.

This week’s recipe is Ellie Krieger’s Baked Beans with Ham.

I debated using Canadian bacon, but, decided on this Ham Steak when I saw it at Trader Joe’s.  I used 12 ounces of it.

This recipe is just as easy as my Quick & Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans, but, it is ready in under 30 minutes.

Start off by browning 1 onion in 2 teaspoons of canola oil.

Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and 12 oz of ham, brown slightly, about 3 minutes.

I used 2 cans of White Kidney Beans because I couldn’t find canned navy beans along with 1/2 a can of Crushed Tomatoes.

Add remaining liquids ~ 1/2 cup water and 1/4 molasses.

2 Tbsp Cider Vinegar, 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard, Black Pepper and Crushed Red Pepper Flakes for a “spicy” kick.

You all didn’t think I could just follow a recipe, did you?! LOL.  I actually tasted the sauce and decided it NEEDED more.  I added 1/4 cup Gayle’s Apple Cider BBQ Sauce, but, wished I had her Chipotle BBQ to add smokiness.

While the beans simmered, I whipped up one of the BEST salads I think I’ve had in a long time.

Crunchy Apple Salad

INGREDIENTS

5 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 Tbsp Agave Nectar

4 tsp canola oil

1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 package coleslaw mix

1 apple, cored and thinly sliced

3 scallions, green and white, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1/4 cup dry roasted walnuts, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar through pepper. 

2.  Add the cabbage, apple, green onions and walnuts.  Toss to combine.

Makes 4, 1 cup servings, 3 points+ each

Nutritional information per 1 cup serving

The Baked Beans with Ham Recipe can be found in Ellie’s So Easy Cookbook and online HERE.

1 heaping cup = 11 points+.  Definitely tasty and filling.  The ham chunks totally made me think of BACON.  I bet this would be awesome over some brown rice.

Crunchy, nutty, hearty and filling.  This salad reminded me a little of a Chinese Chicken Salad based on the dressing.  I can definitely see repeating this again and again.

After dinner, I whipped up my 3rd attempt at Butter Toffee with Almonds ~ this time, I think I got the recipe right!

I LOVE Winter Break at work ~ I do not have to go back to work until next year – woohooo!

Q’s:

1.  What are your favorite type of beans to eat?

I LOVE all beans really, but, I think Chickpeas are my favorite because they are fun to say.  Nope, I NEVER call them Garbanzo beans

Night all!