Aggie's Kitchen

Hanging with Bush Beans in Napa…

Do you have a minute?

IMG_9677

Pull up a chair…

IMG_9661

Or maybe pour yourself a glass of vino.

IMG_9608

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.

IMG_9721

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

IMG_9686

Connie Gutterson was an amazing hostess…

IMG_9688

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

IMG_9748

Our cooking stations…

IMG_9705

IMG_9725

Don’t we look all professional?

IMG_9731

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

IMG_9743

IMG_9797

Chicken and Kidney Beans Spanish Stew (recipe to come)

IMG_9809

Black Bean Buttermilk Cornbread (recipe to come)

IMG_9803

Lunch is served…

IMG_9801

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

IMG_9738

And of course there was a little extra time for some

fun fun fun!!

IMG_9635

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

IMG_9622

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

IMG_9610

IMG_9647

IMG_9858

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

Are you following me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest? If you’d like to subscribe to Aggie’s Kitchen and have each post delivered straight to your e-mail box, then please add your email here. Happy cooking!

There are affiliate links in this post. I make small earnings through any purchases made through these links. Thank you for supporting Aggie’s Kitchen!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

28 comments on “Hanging with Bush Beans in Napa…”

  1. 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. 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. I am jealous! Glad you had fun!

  4. 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. 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. Great photos and what an amazing opportunity Aggie!

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

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

  12. BEAUTIFUL photos Aggie, what a wonderful trip they took you ladies on! Congrats on such a fun opportunity 🙂

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

  14. What an amazing trip! I love the pictures Aggie!

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

  16. Looks so yummy!! What a fun trip

  17. 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. We had so much fun! Great picts Aggie.

    Can we do it again?

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

    Regards,
    CCR
    =:~)

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

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

  24. What a wonderful experience – lucky you!

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

    So excited to make already! =)

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

  28. Pingback: Pumpkin Gingersnap Parfaits | Aggie's Kitchen