Mr. Hawthorne Cooks. From Boxes.

We wanted something quick and comforting the other night.

And Mr. Hawthorne delivered.

Why, it's a Rhapsody in Browns. But all very good browns.

Here's a hyacinth on my counter. Smells delicious. I really had to give you some pretty color in this post. We're cooking out of boxes tonight.

Zatarain's New Orleans style red beans and rice.

And one of my favorites - Manischewitz Potato Pancake Mix.

Beans and rice are ready in 20 minutes.

While the beans and rice were cooking, Mr. Hawthorne made the potato pancake batter.

Mr. Hawthorne made the pancakes the way I wanted - thin. When I have potato pancakes with a roast I like a thicker pancake, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, so the meat juices can be soaked up by the pancake sponge.

Tonight, I wanted thinner, crispier pancakes to POP with the beans and rice and Mr. H. obliged.

These things are addictive.

Like potato chips on steroids.

I accented the rice cake and the flat pancake with some of my Pig Shack Sauce and my Mango Habanero Pineapple Sauce. Always good to have those on hand.

This would have been a lot less brown had it been photographed in natural light. For that, I apologize. But this explosion of carbs was soul-satisfyingly wonderful. I heartily recommend it.