I waited all day for this: a chance to relax with friends! Boy have we missed them these past few weeks. We need a healthy dose of our friends, at least weekly.
The evening started with mariachi music from Pandora and a few Trader Joses!
Kate + Nate were the first to arrive
Followed by B+B and Michelle + Ben 
Plus homemade guac and TJ’s corn chips
I had about 5
About an hour after my first I had brew number two –
And then dinner was served!
I made a Cheesy Bean + Rice Casserole
Contents:
- 1 cup dry Lundberg Short Grain Brown Rice, cooked with some chicken broth
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 squash, chopped
- 1/2 green + red bell peppers, chopped
- 1 tspish chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- S+P
- ~1 bag Trader Joe’s 3 cheese blend
- Cook rice
- Cook veggies
- Stir in spices
- Combine all in a bowl
- Put in casserole dish
- Top with cheese
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350*, broiling in last 3 minutes if a browner crust is desired
Romaine + Bell Pepper + Feta Salad
With Red Pepper Dressing (thought it was just OK)
MY PLATE:
Michelle brought fruit for dessert with some nuts mixed in. Thanks Michelle!
I brought out some toppings
My combo had a little of each – plus a little bit of Kelsey’s newest granola!!
The bears even came out to play!! Kelsey is housesitting for us next week and wanted to get acquainted. Bocker, Churton + Beaker:
We just cleaned the whole kitchen!! And Matt and I just had a dance party to beach music on Pandora
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102. Becky K. | May 22nd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I love that charm!
And your breakfast looks yummy but definitely filling!Hope you have a fantabulous day!
Becky, Please send me an email! KathEats at Gmail
***
I am chugging water – I can feel those two beers – and then we’re off to bed. Our flight tomorrow is early afternoon, so we have to morning to get things together. It’ll probably fly by though!
Night guys –
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Love love LOVE the bears.
Gotta love a fun night with friends. AND MEXICAN FOOOD!!!! YUMMMMMM!
Oh, and love the fruit dessert.
Food always tastes better with good company. Glad you had a great time. Night!
Super cute! *Love* the bears, as always, and that recipe looks like a crowd-pleaser. Good luck with everything tomorrow!
www. HelpMeghanRun .com
DANCE PARTIES WHAT UP!!!
That casserole looks YUMMY!
I LOL’d @ the Trader Jose, my first thought was “Trader Joe’s Corona” lol
Jenn
yay glad you got a chance to relax and have fun after long to-do list you checked off!
What a fun evening Kath! And the perfect send-off for your trip! Your Cheesy Bean and Rice Casserole looks amazing… I’ll bet that took a little while to make!
Could you share the recipe for that guacamole?
Friends + good food = great start to your weekend!
I’m going to have to stalk my TJ’s for those brews. They look like the perfect bbq beer.
Looks like a fantastic night!
)
Hey readers! Dont’ forget you can visit my blog and enter to win the pendants too, or you can order them! (sorry Kath, I just had to!!
That casserole looks fab. I’m going to try that I think I have all the ingredients. Have a fun trip!!!
Have a safe and fun trip! Can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back
Bah I love your bears, have a safe flight and a great vacay!
oh what a wonderful evening!
your casserole looks delicious!
Sleep well!
Glad you had a good farewell dinner with friends – I’ll have to check out that beer!
Love that you are bold enough to have a meatless dinner party!
The casserole looks great!
What a fun dinner party!
what a fun night! I love that you let the bears join you
Have a safe flight tomorrow!
Oh, dinner parties are so fun. Have a safe, fun flight!
GREAT dinner Kath!!! I love the nuts and fruits idea… I gotta do that!
BTW I’m in London now and you should travel here soon… it’s FABULOUS! (My second time around as well).
Glad you had a nice time with friends!
Travel safe!
A fun night! Make sure Kelsey keeps an eye out for Gilbert, too
I am trying that casserole next week for dinner. If I switch out the chicken broth for veggie broth I think it is a recipe that both me and my husband will both enjoy. I’m a vegetarian and he isn’t, so cooking sometimes can be a challenge.
Heather ,
It’s just a mash of avocado, tomato, lime juice, salt, cilantro, garlic powder, cumin, pepper – all to taste.
Jennifer ,
Wow, you sure are traveling a lot! I can’t wait to go back to England. We were shooting for this Xmas, but I think it will have to be next summer. Don’t miss out on a trip to Cambridge!
K
Wow Kath, that casserole looks divine! So I just finished making a copy of your recipe and plan to try it “hopefully” next week. I’ll definitely take a pic and give you props when I make it.
Wishing you a wonderful trip!
Blessings – Debbie
I can’t wait to visit a Trader Joe’s when I am in DC ( I probably won’t be getting mexican beer but it is nice it know it is an option). I love dinners with friends! It looks like you had a great time.mmmmmm guacamole
Kath,
I’m thinking of making that casserole tomorrow for a cook out, is there anything that you would alter (recipe-wise) the next time you make it?
Have a great Saturday!
Holy yum! I will be making that recipe soon, thank’s for sharing
Last night was supposed to be my “beer night”, but I had a change of plans..I will definitely enjoy one tonight though
Just wondering, what IS your fav Annies dressing? Mine would have to be the raspberry vinagerrette.Never had her Goddess dressing though!
Greta ,
I wouldn’t have broiled the cheese so it would have been more melted (that was matt’s doing) and perhaps added a bit more salt and or taco-style seasonings. Otherwise, no!
Stacey ,
Goddess and Woodstock! I haven’t been particularly impressed by the others.
Kath
Fun!! That guacamole looks delicious!
Fabulous eats and menu – LOVE the cheesy bean and casserole. I need to try that.
I agree with you on the roasted red pepper dressing. My sis loves it but I think it’s eh, ok. Not one of my favorites that we make.
I so need to try that casserole!