Hanging with Bush Beans in Napa…

Posted by Aggies Kitchen on March 1st, 2010. Filed under: Uncategorized.

Do you have a minute?

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Pull up a chair…

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Or maybe pour yourself a glass of vino.

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Last Wednesday I flew 2000 (or so) miles west to California to join a few ladies to cook alongside Bush Beans at the Culinary Institute of America – Greystone.  We spent the day in the kitchen cooking up a few delicious chili recipes created by Connie Gutterson, RD for Bush Beans.

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I can’t begin to tell you how amazing this experience was for me…but maybe these photos can…

IMG_9685Joining me in the kitchen were:

Amy @ She Wears Many Hats, Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer and Tina @ Mommy’s Kitchen

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Connie Gutterson was an amazing hostess…

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and we had a little help from Chef Andy Wild (check him out on Facebook!)…

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Our cooking stations…

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Don’t we look all professional?

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White Bean Chili Verde with Sonoma Pesto (recipe to come)

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Chicken and Kidney Beans Spanish Stew (recipe to come)

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Black Bean Buttermilk Cornbread (recipe to come)

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Lunch is served…

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Team PestoTina and I joined up together to cook up the Chili Verde

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And of course there was a little extra time for some

fun fun fun!!

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Picnic Lunch at Rutherford Hill Winery…marinated artichokes, roasted garlic, balsamic figs, crusty bread, hummus and falafel chips…and of course a nice bottle of their Petit Verdoh

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We learned how to swirl our wine and look at “legs”…

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Thank you for letting me share my trip with you…it was totally inspiring and I can’t wait to get cooking again!

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27 Responses to Hanging with Bush Beans in Napa…

  1. Liz - Meal Makeover Mom

    What an amazing trip! Love the photos. Of all the recipes you prepared at the CIA, which one would you say had the biggest kid appeal? In other words, does one stand out as a recipe you think your kids would gobble up? My kids are big bean fans, so I’m just curious!

  2. fittingbackin

    Ah! I love all of the pictures – it looks like you guys had such a good time and yes- you look like (and are!) total pros. I can’t wait for those recipes – they look awesome!

  3. Lisa

    I am jealous! Glad you had fun!

  4. sharon

    Aggie, what an amazing trip! Napa is amazing and I can’t even imagine having an experience like this. Great photos…can’t wait for the recipes!

  5. Sandy

    Oh, so fun. Great pix and it was such a pleasure to meet you and share this experience with you. Bush Beans rocks!

    Yummy recipes, too. :)

  6. HoneyB

    Great photos and what an amazing opportunity Aggie!

  7. patsy

    Looks like an amazing trip, Aggie! I’ve never been to Napa, but after seeing your photos, I’m going to be lobbying to get that on our “short” list of places to visit! Can’t wait to see those recipes!

  8. Jamie

    Boy oh boy, I wish I could have joined you on that trip. What a fantastic opportunity for you. You look like you should be in culinary school. Can’t wait to you share those recipes. I just told Mike where he’s taking me on our 20th anniversary in 2 years,,,,Napa Valley.

  9. pamela

    Lucky you! What fun that all looks like. And that cornbread looks fantastic! Can’t wait to see the recipe!

  10. Erin

    What a fun trip! Cooking, baking, and wine tasting… sounds perfect! I can’t wait to see your recipes, because I love variations on chili.

  11. Leslie

    That looks like sooo much fun!!!! How did you get that awesome opportunity?

  12. Jenny Flake

    BEAUTIFUL photos Aggie, what a wonderful trip they took you ladies on! Congrats on such a fun opportunity :)

  13. bellini valli

    What an awe-inspiring adventure Aggie. We all wish we were there with you…and not just in spirit.

  14. AnneStrawberry

    What an amazing trip! I love the pictures Aggie!

  15. Diana @ frontyardfoodie

    Wow that looks so fun! Now I want to go to a wine tasting or vineyards.

  16. kirstin

    Looks so yummy!! What a fun trip

  17. eatingRD

    Oh my gosh, it looks like such a wonderful experience!!! I am so incredibly jealous :) those pictures are amazing and I can’t wait for the recipes!!!

  18. Amy from She Wears Many Hats

    We had so much fun! Great picts Aggie.

    Can we do it again?

  19. Cajun Chef Ryan

    Great snaps from the trip, a true culinary adventure experience! Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Regards,
    CCR
    =:~)

  20. Debby

    Lucky you! How did you manage that wonderful trip? You were in my own backyard. I live 2 hours away from the CIA and love this area so much. I go every July, for my birthday. Great photos and you look like you had so much fun.

  21. Jenna

    Now you see why I’m so homesick? :)
    Amazing pics, beautiful subject, perfect experience.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Looking forward to hearing all about it, in detail, next week.
    Awesome job my friend!

  22. Jessie

    wonderful photos, all of you looked like you had such a great time cooking and tasting great food!

  23. carrian

    oh so lucky!! how did you get to go on soemthing so fun?

  24. Colleen

    What a wonderful experience – lucky you!

  25. Erica

    oh my goodness! SOOOOO amazing (and I am sooo jealous ;) ). What a beautiful location and great recipes! I love Bush’s beans! I buy at least 2 if not 3 containers a week! I am using them tonight in fact to make a red bean, spinach, tomato sauce & rice mixture! Glad you had fun :) Cute pics of you cooking it up!

  26. Jackie (The Cupcake Boutique)

    OMG!!! Delicious! I cannot wait until the Black Bean Buttermilk Cornbread recipe!!

    So excited to make already! =)

  27. Aggie’s Kitchen Visits RE: Grilled Banana Boats!

    [...] you one of my favorite recipes for summer! Sandy and I met earlier this year on a fantastic trip to Napa Valley with the folks over at Bush’s Beans. That was an unforgettable trip for me, and I made some [...]

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