Too Disgruntled to Dine Out

Disgruntled means many things on this blog, and today we'll let it sub for "under house arrest."

These last weeks I've spent some time mourning meals like the one you see here. In Texas, you end up eating a lot of Tex Mex because a.) it's the reason you're there or b.) wherever you go you're never more than five minutes from a lovable taqueria or cantina. We've tried a few different "Tex Mex" eateries here in Washington, and they just seem to be missing something. The Tex, maybe?

When the weather turns, then turns again, and you can't take your summer spirits outside lest they get broken by the clouds, take your woes to the store and buy ingredients for an indoor fiesta. These party favors are quick, fresh, healthy and require minimum clean up.

First, set your oven to broil.

What you'll need for quesadillas:

1 can black beans, rinsed & drained
1/2 cup fresh shredded cheddar
1 small mango, chopped
1 avocado, chopped
tortillas
cooking spray or butter
salt

plus 

1 poblano pepper,

1 T dried oregano and 

about a cup of chopped onion. Sweat those together over medium high heat until onion is transparent. Combine with mango/avocado.

Plant some cheddar on half of the tortillas, top with mix and then more cheese, for adhesion & prosperity & extra fat. For love, really. Fold in half, spray lightly with cooking spray and give it up to the broiler til' melty.

 If you can't bring yourself to turn on your oven, crisp them up on the stove on medium high.

Look what's left! It's just you and the pan, now. Don't be shy. Grab a spoon and get in there. Or...

Focus, think about what you can make without cheese, since you so cavalierly ate the rest of it while cooking, and create a cool, refreshing Tex-Mex salad.

What you'll need:

Red Bell pepper, chopped

4 radishes, sliced thin

3 scallions, chopped

1 can black beans, rinsed & drained

for the dressing:

1/4 c chopped cilantro

2 t coarse grain mustard (brown deli mustard will do)

1 t red wine vinegar

1 T lime juice

3 t olive oil

Whisk together your dressing and combine with chopped veggies & beans. Marvel briefly at the colors, grab a Modelo and eat.