White Rice

Growing up I ate white rice every day. If that sounds odd to you, let me inform you that I was born and raised in Miami and my heritage is Cuban. We ate white rice every day because white rice goes with everything. At least that's what the Cuban in me thinks. 

I can't think of a Cuban dish that is not served with white rice, often topped with black beans. White rice is a staple that is even served alongside traditional American holiday fare. You want white rice with your Fourth of July hamburgers and hot dogs? 

My abuela always rinsed her rice to get rid of excess starch. I don't rinse mine, but you are welcome to if you want. Cubans also do not usually serve their white rice sticky.

Arroz Blanco

1 cup long-grain white rice

1 3/4 cup water

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a lidded pot on the stove. Bring to a boil. Stir, cover pot, and lower heat to medium low. Cook for 20 minutes. Turn off heat. Leave covered for 5 - 10 minutes. Uncover and serve.

The rice may also be made in a rice cooker. I kid you not, my family sent me off to college with a Hitachi rice cooker. Those things are fool-proof, or in my case Betty Crapper-proof!

Have a wonderful Fourth of July!

Spring Mix Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Red Onions

Yesterday, I had fresh corn soup with roasted corn guacamole on the menu. Before you think I'm nuts, I have my thermostat set incredibly low year round here in South Florida. It's always soup weather in Betty Crapper's house.

The thing is, I was not inside the house yesterday, I was out running errands most of the day. I felt the heat and the soul crushing humidity. I almost melted, twice. Betty Crapper could not make soup (and her avocados were rock hard).

The only thing I felt like eating was a cold salad. I diced up a tomato, half a peeled and seeded cucumber, and an 1/8 of a red onion. I plopped these goodies on a bed of baby leaves and whisked up a red wine vinaigrette. A store-bought french baguette and lots of butter completed my meal and kept my tummy happy.

Red Wine Vinaigrette  

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tbsp honey

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

pinch of salt

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a small bowl whisk together the ingredients. 

Stay Cool!

Beautiful Blogger

Alex at Ma, what's for dinner? has given me an award. Thank you Alex for deeming Betty Crapper beautiful. I truly appreciate the recognition.

The guidelines for accepting this award are:
(Betty Crapper doesn't mind if you break the rules, she thinks you are beautiful and worthy of recognition.)

• list 10 facts about yourself.
• pick 10 beautiful bloggers to pass this award on to.

Ten random facts about M

1. I am really short, as in 4'11'' short.
2. I slipped and fell once when I stood on wheeled dog food bins to reach something up high in the pantry. Luckily, I did not get hurt.
3. Chairs and counters are more stable. Now, I stand on chairs and climb onto my kitchen counter to reach things.
4. I'm not a fan of most fruits, except tomatoes. I really, really love those things.
5. I like vegetables.
6. I used to be scared of flying. My husband constantly reminds me of the free trip to Switzerland I turned down. What was I thinking? Now I can't wait to head off somewhere, anywhere.
7. My favorite drink is water, always has been. 
8. I do not drink soft drinks because I've never, ever liked the taste.
9. I procrastinate, a lot.
10. A black bear crossed the trail right in front of me in Sequoia National Park, and I didn't even notice. I was too busy looking for wild flowers. Oops!

Ten beautiful bloggers I admire and love visiting. If you love food, you might love them too.

1. Bumbles and Light 
2. Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice 
3. Finding Joy in My Kitchen Check out her great new look and current giveaway ($70 for use in CSN Stores).
4. The Kitchen Witch I love, love, love her new sight design. Her new header is beautiful and evokes such happiness in me.
5. Ms. enPlace
6. One Perfect Bite
7. Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner
8. The Peppered Pantry 
9. Phoo-D 
10. Stirring the Pot 

Have a wonderful Wednesday. 

Meal Plan 6/28-7/4

Previous Week (Meal Plan 6/21-6/27)

Meal plans are wonderful, but life happens. Here is a review of last week's eats and how it all turned out.

Monday we had grilled ribeyes, vegetable skewers, and roasted garlic potato wedges. Hubby put a coffee spice rub on the steaks and grilled them medium. The grilled vegetables turned out great. Monday's meal would have been perfection without the super salty potato wedges. I halved my recipe and forgot to halve the salt and garlic. Oops, Betty Crapper struck again!

On Tuesday I used my thawed frozen pizza dough and made a pizza topped with marinara sauce, salami, red onions, green peppers, mushrooms, kalamata olives, and fresh mozarella cheese. I loved the combination of toppings. 

Tuesday I also made mamey ice cream for the first time. My father in law picked up his ice cream before I had a chance to take a picture. He tells me it was excellent and there's none left. I'll be making it again this coming weekend for my mother.

Wednesday I deviated from the meal plan and made picadillo. There was enough to have leftovers for lunch on Friday.

On Thursday, I met my husband for lunch and over ate: definitely not conducive to cooking dinner. That evening I had a small bagel with cream cheese and let my husband fend for himself. I believe he had cereal.

Friday's planned meal was also a bust. We ate spaghetti with homemade marinara sauce. Later that evening I made a cucumber salad to take to the beach. I found the recipe over at Use Real Butter. 

On Saturday I ate the Thai cucumber salad at the beach. The salad was delicious and perfect for the hot day. I will definitely make it again. 

Have I told you how much my ten month old loves the water? Lots and lots and lots! We followed up the beach with a dip in the pool at my sister's condo. The baby kicked and splashed and laughed. I believe she loved the pool more than the beach.

There was definitely no time to cook dinner on Saturday, so I picked up food from Outback on the way home.

Sunday, was a busy day in the kitchen. I made pizza dough for my freezer, chocolate cake to satisfy my chocolate cravings, and balsamic chicken over brown rice for dinner. 

Meal Plan 6/28-7/4

Monday: shredded chicken tacos with salsa, guacamole, and homemade flour tortillas

Tuesday: pepperoni pizza

Wednesday: fresh corn soup with roasted corn guacamole

Thursday: chicken with warm tomato corn salad and homemade bread

Friday: three cheese ziti inspired by SnoWhite @ Finding Joy in My Kitchen

Saturday:TBD, beach bound! dinner will likely be take out or leftovers.

Sunday:TBD, Fourth of July! 

I reserve the right to make substitutions and deletions due to laziness.

Baking/Sweets Wish List

(all homemade of course)

• mamey ice cream
• apple cake

If you are in need of further inspiration, check out the weekly Menu Plan Monday post over at I'm an Organizing Junkie.