Black Bean Quinoa Bake

(c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023

Black bean quinoa bake is a rich combination of salty, sweet, and tangy. This dish is packed with flavors and is very satisfying. Black bean quinoa is a delicious vegetarian casserole and is also gluten-free. You can serve it with tortilla chips and a side salad.

Jump to Recipe

Basic Ingredients

Black beans, corn, and quinoa.
Mexican cheese, red bell pepper, onions, and cilantro.

In a medium sauce pan, add water and quinoa. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Turn the heat low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set to the side.

Preheat oven to 350℉. Add olive oil to a 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Set aside. Chop the onions, bell peppers, cilantro, garlic and set aside. Place beans and corn in separate bowls and set aside.

Cooked quinoa.

In a large pan or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic. Saute for 5 minutes. Then add the bell peppers and corn and saute for another 5 minutes. Add lime or lemon juice, salt and pepper. Place in a large bowl and set aside.

Onions, garlic, bell peppers, and corn with lime juice.

In another large bowl, add the cooked quinoa along with the black beans.

Add the corn and peppers. Add the salsa sauce and mix gently.

Add the cilantro. Optional: Feel free to add olives into the mixture.

Scoop the entire mixture on the 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Smooth it out with a wooden spoon.

Add 2 cups of Mexican cheese on top.  Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned on the sides. 

Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5-8 to minutes. Add your favorite toppings. Serve with corn chips and/or side salad.

Enjoy!

Kind Regards,
Debra Roinestad

Black Bean Quinoa Bake

The Comfy Cabin
Prep Time 25 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
1 hr
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil optional: avocado oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and diced
  • 1 cup canned yellow corn
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans
  • 1 cup red salsa sauce (mild)
  • cup cilantro, chopped
  • half of a lemon or lime, freshly squeezed
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese optional: mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • Optional: Toppings- olives, guacamole, sour cream, pickled jalapeno peppers, sliced avocados.

Instructions
 

  • In a medium sauce pan, add water and quinoa. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Turn the heat low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set to the side.
  • Preheat oven to 350℉ Add olive oil to a 9" x 13" baking dish. Set aside.
  • In a large pan or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic. Saute for 5 minutes. Then add the bell peppers and corn and saute for another 5 minutes. Add lime or lemon juice, salt and pepper. Place in a large bowl and set aside.
  • In another large bowl, add the cooked quinoa along with the black beans. Add the corn and peppers. Add the salsa sauce and mix gently.
  • Scoop the entire mixture on the 9" x 13" baking dish. Smooth it out with a wooden spoon. Add 2 cups of Mexican cheese on top.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned on the sides. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5-8 to minutes. Add your favorite toppings. Serve with corn chips and/or side salad.
Keyword dinner

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Farinata (Italian Flat Bread)

Farinata (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023.

Farinata is chickpea flatbread. All you need to prepare farinata is chickpea flour, water, olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. You can add black olives and/or sun-dried tomatoes if desired. Farinata is crispy on top with rich golden-yellow color. Serve farinata with salad, or soup, or use the farinata as elegant sandwich bread. 

Kind Regards,

Debra Roinestad

Jump to Recipe

Pour the chickpea flour into a bowl.

Gradually add 2 cups of lukewarm water and whisk until batter is smooth. Add 3 tablespoons of oil into the batter and whisk gently. Add salt and pepper.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour. Optional: You can leave the batter overnight in the fridge for extra flavor.

After 1 hour uncover the batter.

Use a small spoon to skim the foam from the top of the batter.

Finely chop the onion. Add the onions to a pan and brown for 5 mins. Cut the black olives in half and set aside. Preheat the oven to 450℉.

Add olive oil (about 2 tablespoons) to a non-stick pan or skillet.

Pour the chickpea batter and add the browned onions and olives. Add in 2 teaspoons of rosemary.

Bake for 20-25 mins. Cook just long enough until the top looks brown and crusty. Brush with extra olive oil if top looks dry. Cut the farinata into wedges and serve warm.

Farinata (Italian Flat Bread)

The Comfy Cabin
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • cups chickpea flour
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil optional: you can also use avocado oil
  • ½ yellow onion (thinly sliced)
  • ¼ cup black olives optional add-ons: sun-dried tomatoes

Instructions
 

  • Pour chickpea flour into a bowl and gradually add water. Whisk gently until the batter is smooth.
  • Add salt, pepper, 3 tablespoons of olive oil into the batter.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour. Optional: You can leave the batter overnight in the fridge for extra flavor.
  • After 1 hour uncover the batter. Use a small spoon to skim the foam from the top of the batter.
  • Finely chop the onion. Add the onions to a pan and brown for 5 mins. Cut the black olives in half and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 450℉.
  • Add olive oil (about 2 tablespoons) to a non-stick pan or skillet. Pour the chickpea batter and add the browned onions and olives. Add in 2 teaspoons of rosemary.
  • Bake for 20-25 mins. Cook just long enough until the top looks is brown.
  • Brush with extra olive oil if top looks dry. Cut the farinata into wedges and serve warm.

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Cute Wildlife On Trail Cam

Abstract Collage by Debra Roinestad (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023

Hey Friends,

Here at the cabin, the birds seem to sense that spring is around the corner. Foxes and squirrels scurrying about. We occasionally still have a cold day, but soon the black bears and their cubs will be hanging around the neighborhood. As I write this post, I’m excited to see what the trail camera will capture next.

As always, enjoy the trail cam videos.

Peace and Love,

Debra Roinestad

Blue Jay, True & Co. (c) 1880
Raccoon Post Card. Artist Unknown.
Bengal Fox (Vulpes Bengalensis) from Illustrations of Indian zoology (1830-1834) by John Edward Gray (1800-1875). Original from The New York Public Library.

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Maple Glazed Salmon

This lovely dish is so delicious…savory, sweet, and salty. Serve it with rice or salad as a side dish. I love using maple syrup instead of honey since maple syrup has such a rich and smokey flavor!

Prep the salmon with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat a large non-stick pan or skillet. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and place the salmon with the pink, meaty side facing down.

Cook the salmon for 5 minutes. While the salmon is cooking, prep the sauce. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Jump to Recipe
Maple Glazed Salmon, (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023

Combine maple syrup, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and minced garlic in a bowl.

Simmering- Maple Glaze Sauce (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023

In a small sauce pan, add 1/2 tablespoon of oil, 2 cloves of garlic (minced), and cook for 2 minutes. Add soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and maple syrup. Simmer for 3 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and extra maple syrup or chili sauce as desired. Personally, I like to add extra chili sauce.

Flip the salmon so the charred, meaty side faces upward and add half of the maple glaze to the salmon. Set the rest of the glaze aside. Place the salmon with the pan into the oven. Depending on how well done you prefer your salmon, bake for 15-20 minutes. 

The handle of the pan will be extremely hot so make sure you use oven gloves. Carefully, remove the pan from the oven and place the salmon on a serving dish. Add the remainder of the maple glaze. Serve with lemon wedges and/or sesame seeds.

Enjoy!

Debra Roinestad

The California salmon (ca. 1879) by Samuel Kilbourne. Original from Museum of New Zealand.

Vintage illustration of Salmon (Salmo Salar)

Maple Glazed Salmon

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Main Course
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4 salmon fillets
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • MAPLE SAUCE
  • ½ teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ½ cup sweet chili sauce

Instructions
 

  • Prep the salmon with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat a large non-stick pan or skillet. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and place the salmon with the pink, meaty side facing down.
  • Cook the salmon for 5 minutes. While the salmon is cooking, prep the sauce. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Combine maple syrup, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and minced garlic in a bowl.
  • In a small sauce pan, add 1/2 tablespoon of oil, 2 cloves of garlic (minced), and cook for 2 minutes. Add soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and maple syrup. Simmer for 3 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and extra maple syrup or chili sauce as desired. Personally, I like to add extra chili sauce.
  • Flip the salmon so the charred, meaty side faces upward and add half of the maple glaze to the salmon. Set the rest of the glaze aside. Place the salmon with the pan into the oven. Depending on how well done you prefer your salmon, bake for 15-20 minutes. 
  • The handle of the pan will be extremely hot so make sure you use oven gloves. Carefully, remove the pan from the oven and place the salmon on a serving dish. Add the remainder of the maple glaze. Serve with lemon wedges and/or sesame seeds.
Keyword salmon

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BFF Ravens & Squirrels on Trail Cam

Photo Collage by Debra Roinestad (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023

Hey Everyone!

Spring came early here in South Carolina. The ravens and squirrels are all over the trail camera. They are BFFs and seem to be very at peace with one another. It is usually not the case for ravens and squirrels to get along. According to wildlife experts, ravens and crows will attack and eat squirrels. To read more click here.  And here.

I love it when I see wildlife just enjoying each other’s company. 

Enjoy the trail cam videos!

Warm Regards,
Debra Roinestad

Gray squirrel, Northern gray, Sciurus migratorius

Raven from Birds of America (1827) by John James Audubon, etched by William Home Lizars. Original from University of Pittsburg.

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3 Great Reasons to Fall in Love With Landrum S.C.

Landrum is a small community with gorgeous mountain views and lovely antique stores in S.C. An old railroad track runs through Landrum. The city was founded in 1880 and incorporated in 1883. It is located west on Interstate 26 between Spartanburg and Asheville, N.C. 

Railroad track in Landrum. Photo by Debra Roinestad, (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023.

All photos by Debra Roinestad, (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023.

Here are 3 great reasons to fall in love with Landrum, SC

1) Shopping

All the antique shops has good quality antiques such as jewelry, fine china, books, records, carnival glassware and more!

Antique Stores

The Landrum Antique Mall (Thrill of the Hunt)

221 E. Rutherford St. Landrum SC 29356

864-457-4000

The Landrum Antique Mall (The Thrill Of The Hunt)

Savvy Scavengers Antique Mall & Marketplace

105 S Randolph Ave., Landrum SC 29356

864-457-6710

The Yankee Peach Antiques & Collectibles

120 E. Rutherford St., Landrum SC 29356

864-386-5800

Landrum Eclectics

601 W Rutherford St. Landrum, SC  29356

864-457-2314

Expressions Florist & Antiques

105 E Rutherford St. Landrum SC 29356

864-457-6694

The Vintage Corner

110 S 562, Landrum SC 29356

864-457-1255

Habitat For Humanity Store

132 S 562, Landrum SC 29356

864-457-2666

Big John’s Antiques 

601 S Howard  Suite B Landrum, SC 29356

BotiqueS

Crawfords 

108 E Rutherford St Landrum SC 29356

914-954-7704

Crawford’s

Classic Couture

109 E Rutherford St.  Landrum SC 29356

864-457-3360

Classic Couture

Lucy’s Botique

1508 E Rutherford St

864-457-4445

Sissy Botique & Gifts

210-B E. Rutherford St, Landrum 29356

864-457-2425

Galleries & Speciality Shops

Foothills Amish Furniture

106 E Rutherford St, Landrum SC 29356

864-457-2400

Foothills Amish Furniture

White Buffalo Collectibles (Native American Goods)

205 E Rutherford St Landrum, SC 29356

386-405-2263

The Millstone Gallery (Inside The Landrum Antique Mall)

221 E. Rutherford St. Landrum S.C. 29356

Covington & Co. Jewelry

210 E. Rutherford St, Landrum SC 29356

864-457-5854

P3 Retail Rescue (Non-profit for animals)

112 E Rutherford St  Landrum SC 29356

864-457-3694

2) Great Restaurants

There are  plenty of choices to satisfy your taste buds. Whether it be Americana to exotic food Landrum has it all. 

Restaurants

The Hare & Hound Pub

The Hare & The Hound
The Hare & Hound

Soulisa’s Fine Dining

Appetizer Sampler: Soulisa’s Fine Dining

El Chile Rojo

Stone Soup Market Cafe

The Carolinas’ Harvest House Restaurant

Southside Smokehouse & Grille

The Pasta Station

China Cafe

Harvest House

Stax’s Drake House

Dimitri’s Greek Italian Restaurant

Biazzo Deli

3) Romantic Getaway

Landrum, SC is the perfect romantic getaway. The city is quiet and peaceful so you can relax from daily stressors.

Hotels In & Around Laundrum

The Red Horse Inn

45 Winston Chase Ct, Landrum, SC 29356

864-909-1575

1906 Pine Crest Inn

85 Pine Crest Lane, Tryon, NC 28782

828-859-9135

Yellow House Of Landrum (Air B& B)

508 E. Rutherford St, Landrum 29356

Make sure to visit this picturesque and romantic city if you are ever in South Carolina.

Debra Roinestad

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Early Spring in the Mountains of S.C. Photo Gallery

Daffodils in the woods. Photo by Debra Roinestad, (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023

Spring has arrived early here in South Carolina. The wildlife is more active, flowers are starting to bloom, and the sun is shining brightly over the mountains. Plus, the black bears around the woods will be waking up soon from hibernation.

Here are some recent photos that you might enjoy.

Kind Regards,

Debra Roinestad

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Winter Wildlife On Trail Cam

Wildlife Collage by Debra Roinestad, (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023
Snow and Ice on Table Rock Mountain. Photo by Debra Roinestad, (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023

Although it is still winter in South Carolina, wildlife senses the vibration of spring. Daffodils are starting to bloom. We are getting hints of spring fluctuating back to winter. Plus, Table Rock mountain has ice or snow on the peak.

Daffodils. Photo by Debra Roinestad,
(c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023

When the weather gets cold, the wildlife migrates closer to homes in search of food or shelter. Wildlife that might be encountered closer to home include squirrels, brown bats, opossums, and raccoons. 

Here is a compilation of wildlife from the trail cam videos I spliced together.

Lots of Love,

Debra Roinestad

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Sly Fox On Trail Cam

Watercolor Artist: Unknown, Image In The Public Domain.

Hey Everyone!

There are two species of foxes here in South Carolina, the red fox and the grey fox. The trail cam captured videos of a sly red fox! Red foxes are not native to South Carolina, they were introduced by houndsmen during the late 1600s from New England and Europe. The houndsmen loved using the red fox for hunting because of their crafty and elusive nature.

Collage Art by Debra Roinestad (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023

Foxes have been found in folklore fables for several hundred years as cunning, wise, and adaptable. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, red foxes are declining in Southeastern states with the invasion of the coyote. 

The muzzle of the red fox is longer than the grey fox. Overall, the red fox favors open areas with lots of hedgerows. In South Carolina Lowcountry foxes begin to pair up for breeding in the late fall and early winter.

To learn more about the gray fox listen to South Carolina Public Radio, ‘Nature Notes’ by Rudy Mancke click here.  “So, what does the fox say?” click here. 🦊

Warm Regards,

Debra Roinestad

American Red-Fox (Vulpes Fulvus) from the viviparous quadrupeds of North America (1845) illustrated by John Woodhouse Audubon (1812-1862). Original from The New York Public Library.

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Love Is In The Air: Raccoon & Deer Trail Cam

Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Photo Collage by Debra Roinestad (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023
Romance: Deer In Love (c) The Comfy Cabin, 2023

Hello Friends,

Ah…yes, love! It makes the world go round, your heart flutters, and you begin to feel butterflies inside your belly. Animals deeply feel love and empathy for each other.  Visit the science of love by Dr. Anna Machin click here.

Love is definitely in the air…which you will see on the trail cam videos. Raccoons and deer are hanging out harmoniously, and two deer are kissing with endearment.

“It’s like at that moment the whole universe existed just to bring us together.” – Serendipity

Always know that you are dearly loved and cherished. 

Thank you for visiting my blog. Enjoy the trail cam videos.

Happy Valentines Day! ❤️

Love,

Debra Roinestad

Cupid, Image in the public domain.

Aesthetic cute teddy bear print. Image in the public domain.
Red rose, Prince Camille De Rohan illustration, vintage flower lithograph.

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