Well Christmas Day has come and gone...as have my folks. It was a pretty low key day. Gluten-free apple cake for breakfast, a hike at the ever great Shellburg Falls, and Smoky Black Bean Soup and Cornbread for dinner. Tonight is Christmas with the Jones side. Smoked roasted chicken, smoked beef ribs, pumpkin biscuits, roasted carrots and cherry sorbet. Can we say, "Don't need to eat for a week!"
Smoky Bean Soup (adapted from here)
olive oil
6-8 cloves garlic, minced (smoked garlic is yummy here too)
1 T smoked paprika
2 tsp cumin
1-2 tsp chipotle powder (depending on how hot you like it)
2 cans petite diced tomatoes (14-15 oz)
2 cans black bean refried beans
2 cans black beans
2 c. frozen corn
salt to taste
(water or chicken broth as needed)
Saute the garlic in the olive oil 1-2 min on medium until cooked. Add the spices and stir around, letting the spices heat up a bit. Add the canned and frozen goods, including liquids. Stir well to get the refried beans to break up. Add additional water/chicken broth as needed. Cook on medium, watching to be sure it doesn't scorch for 20-30 minutes. Serve with any or all of sliced avocado, cheese, sour cream/yogurt, green onion, lime juice, and cilantro.
Alternative: Cook garlic and spices as directed above. Transfer to crockpot. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hrs. This works the best really!
I call bs on those who say Salem has nothing to offer! Andrew and I are finding Salem has lots to offer. We didn't hike much this summer...it was more kayaking and camping. But, now that the weather is crappy...we're hiking. I know. But at least we're still getting out some!
Anyways, if you haven't made use of the Santiam State Forest you are really missing out. Check out their website and see the recreational opportunities that await. Butte Creek Falls is just one such opportunity. They categorize it as difficult...probably because it's steep in parts and can have a lot of slippery leaves. However, it's only 1.5 miles and has wonderful views.
Bailey thought it was great as well!
I am somewhat loathe to tell you about Shellburg Falls. It's just that nice of a place and I really love that there are not a lot of people up there...but oh well you'll find out anyway. Shelburg Falls are part of the Santiam Forest and is similar to Silver Falls. Only, while a bit smaller than most of the falls at Silver Falls State Park, Shellburg Fall have a seat where you can sit behind the falls and enjoy them. And, there is no fee for parking your car.
Andrew and I go at least once or twice a year in different seasons to enjoy this area. Since we last went, they have done a lot of improvements at the campground that you can drive to or hike to as we did. They've started charging to camp at the campground too but with all the improvements I'm not surprised.
Another thing we learned yesterday, was Gene's Meat Market (corner of Fernridge Rd and Hwy 22 in Mehema) is wonderful. We stopped on the way up to the falls and bought some jerky and a buffalo pepperoni stick. On the way back, we stopped and bought some frozen sausages that didn't have too much nasty stuff in them. They are open Mon-Sat., so stop in sometime on your way by.
