This is a recipe for the best black beans we’ve ever had. It began several years ago when I had some boiled corned beef broth leftover that I thought might be good with beans cooked in it. It was very good. But it could be even better. So I began to tinker, and I think we have it down pretty well. Yes, they are magically delicious.
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An Alaska Break
I really needed to step away from it all for a few days. Not knowing if you’re going to still have a job because there’s been an ideological takeover of state government causes very high stress levels. Just about everyone I know at the university works hard and does a good job. And we have great students that we get to teach and work with. So you do what you’re supposed to do and do a good job and you’re at risk of being fired? Yep. That sucks. Yep. Especially when the need for what you do isn’t going away.
Continue readingA Very Unusual Dipnetting Season
Back in June the run of red salmon in the Copper River this year was predicted to be poor. And the Miles Lake sonar showed that this was indeed the case, so the Department of Fish and Game closed the season very soon after opening it. And then they kept it closed for most of June and July, with just five open periods of 24-96 hours. The king salmon run was reported to be good, and those who went in June generally caught more than they could keep (1 each). But red fishing was poor.
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Rudolph Tamales
Rudolph occasionally stops by our house, and we enjoy our time with him. I didn’t want to post this on Christmas, because some might consider it in bad taste, but this year’s visit was particularly memorable.
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Double Dipping
This was our 20th year fishing for salmon in the Copper River. You’d think we’d be experts by now and get our limit every time. Ha! If you want to be sure to come home with fish, go to the store. This fishery is a uniquely Alaska experience, a personal-use fishery open only to state residents. You use big nets on long handles. It’s a longstanding traditional way to harvest salmon for the table, and the fish, the Copper River red salmon, is probably one of the best food fishes in the world. We enjoy them immensely. And, while it’s serious work, I still enjoy going to get them.
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