Saturday, May 30, 2009

Medallion block, black bean and rice salad, and "Gobsmacked" Kaleidoscope


This creation belongs to my friend Jody Goddess ( LOL ). She did the center applique and then passed it to me, hoping I'd come up with something brilliant! It takes courage to develop something creative on someone else's block! I trimmed it to an exact size (fear!), put the block on point, added the large corner triangles, then bordered it with the QSTs. My first effort at QSTs were much too dark, so I redid them in softer colors - much more appealing I believe. Other gals will add additional borders.

Next - Carol posted this Black Bean and Rice Salad - yummy and I'm thinking it's not even filled with calories. The lime and cilantro gives it an entirely different flavor than my own BORING salads. I'm repeating it because it is sooooo delicious! Several months ago, I promised to try one new recipe a week - this is the result.

1 can (16 oz) black beans, thoroughly rinsed and drained
1 cup cooked white rice ( 1/3 to 1/2 cup raw)
5 oz. frozen corn thawed
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1 sweet red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 Cup chopped fresh cilantro


Dressing:
1 T. balsamic vineger
2 T fresh squeezed lime juice
1/4 C. olive oil
1/8 t. salt/pepper

Mix all ingredients, toss with dressing and refrigerate. Keeps well for several days. Great vegetarian/vegan main dish, or side dish with grilled meats. Recipe can easily be doubled to serve a big group - it's always a hit!
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I already had leftover rice, leftover corn, my vinegar was Tarragon, and I used lime juice from a bottle. Delicious! I'll make this again, especially for Pot lucks as it's something different!

My last photo is one you've seen in various production stages (I think). It's called Gobsmacked, named by Sheila, in Australia. I'm giving a workshop in September and could not find a photo, so maybe it was never posted, finished. Uh ohhh - another Senior Moment? LOL

18 comments:

  1. The salad sounds very nice. Must try!
    Love that Gobsmacked.

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  2. Ah, cilantro makes everything wonderful! Just this week I tried it in a tuna salad sandwich for the first time -- wow!!
    Gobsmacked is great, should be a wonderful workshop.

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  3. I make a very similar salad and it is always sooo good. I put a tablespoon of salsa in mine. Great for you for doing a workshop!
    Cheers! Evelyn

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  4. gobsmacked... I just love that quilt.

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  5. The recipe sounds good. I'm always looking for something low-fat and filling and easy to fix. I remember you working on the blocks for Gobsmacked--it looks great all put together.

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  6. That is one fabulous quilt! I really would like to try one of those. Thanks for the recipe too--I am always on the lookout for good bean recipes.

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  7. Ive made a very similar salad and love it. Great quilt. I love the secondary design.

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  8. I love the Gobsmacked quilt! It would be so much fun to attend your workshop. Too bad you live in Nebraska!

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  9. Salad sounds great and I'm going to try it too. That quilt is a dazzler!

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  10. I'm feeling some red and gold applique in the HST's around the medallion. Maybe someone in the next round will think so too. Can't wait to see where it goes from here.

    "Gobsmacked" is a real stunner. (OK, I have to say it: don't you always wonder who's behind the quilts that are displayed this way?)

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  11. Wow, a recipe AND a great quilt. Both look wonderful.

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  12. Love that name for the quilt. Dig it!!!

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  13. That kaleidoscope is perhaps the best yet! So impressive. The applique is pretty darn great too.

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  14. Gobsmacked is wonderful! I also love that salad. It's refreshing in the summer.

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  15. Beautiful hawaiian quilt! You did the borders very nicely.

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  16. Oh I have a salad like that I LOVE! I think the only differences are I use tomato and rice vinegar instead of rice and balsamic..but the CILANTRO! OH MY! I'm with you on having a better outlook another day...when I have a 'black cloud' over my head, I try to just climb in bed with a book and go to sleep early. My family has learned to steer clear when I say "BLACK CLOUD"! HA!

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  17. LOVE this kaleidoscope!
    I just pieced one from a kit I bought in Paducah and it was fun...I am ready to branch out into cutting my own blocks now.
    Thanks for the inspiration!

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