Caroline's "Favorite Meal"

Since I had dinner at Book Club last night (thank you for the delicious meal Lacey!) I don't have any new cooking pics to post today! So, I decided that I should pay homage to one of the people who inspired me to think and cook outside the box (other than my mother, Debra, my aunt, Peggy, and my grandmother, Goggie all of whom I will credit as soon as I get some pics)! She is Mary Caroline's mom, Caroline! In highschool I spent many a night at Mary Caroline's house watching tv, downloading music, and doing homework but one of my favorite things to do was to watch Caroline cook. Mary Caroline and I would plop down on the barstools and tell her about our day while we watched her create many delicious masterpieces.  Caroline taught me how to peel garlic--who knew you layed it on the cutting board and smashed it with the back of your knife!?! She taught me how to make home-made dressing and croutons and so many other creations! Watching her cook and hearing about all of her travels to other countries to take cooking classes always left me feeling inspired to make new and interesting recipes! Anyone who knows Caroline can tell you that she throws amazing parties and can make any meal feel "gourmet" and special.  One meal in particular we called "favorite meal" because it is Mary Carolines, well, favorite meal! It is a delicious meal of tortillas with medium rare flank steak and the most delicious black beans and all the fixins!  Below is a picture of us eating "favorite meal" for the last time at the old house before Caroline left the panhandle for Tyler, TX. Oh how I miss her!!  Thank you Caroline for all your inspiration!!

 Caroline's Black Beans (as I remember them, and how I make them...)
Two cans Black Beans
2 TBS light colored vinegar (white, apple cidar, redwine or whatever you have)
10 springs of Cilantro (approx) bundled together with twine
2 cloves of garlic smashed and peeled but not chopped
2 TBS sugar (or agave nectar)
Put all ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Lower beans to medium heat and let simmer approx 10 minutes.  Remove cilantro bundle and garlic cloves (I like to leave mine in, but you can remove them) and Serve!!
**Caroline if you ever read this feel free to comment with anything I might have missed or done wrong!

Below is a picture of "favorite meal" that I attempted to re-create about a year ago, it is definitely not as pretty a pic as I would intend, but I never meant for anyone other than Mary Caroline and Caroline to see it! Ha!! So here it is!