Very Versatile Black Beans

Hello friends and Happy Sunday to you! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend and are enjoying the beautiful fall weather as much as I have.  Today's post is for a recipe that seems to have become a staple in my home as of late. It's based on an episode of 30 Minute Meals by Rachael Ray that I saw almost 10 years ago, which makes me think, geez, time flies by! Anyway, it's pretty tasty, healthy, quick, and easy to make, which is why I love it so much.  Without further adieu, here's the recipe for Spicy Black Beans.

Ingredients:
1 jalapeño, seeded & chopped or 1 pickled hot pepper of any kind
1 can (15 oz) black beans
2 tsp hot sauce
1.5 tsp cayenne pepper
1.5 tsp ground cumin
1 TBSP EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
1.  Heat a small skillet over medium heat.
2.  Add EVOO, turn the pan quickly to spread the EVOO, & chopped jalapeño.
3.  After washing and draining the black beans,  add half of them to the pan, & mash with a fork or masher.
4.  Add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, cumin powder, salt & pepper to the beans and mix.
5.  Add the remaining beans to the mashed bean mixture and stir.  Stir in a bit of water if the mixture is too thick.
6.  Enjoy in tacos, Mexican pizza, nachos, or whatever your heart desires. =)

Avocado Cream Sauce

Hello friends. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and enjoyed spending time with loved ones.  This was an exceptionally exciting weekend for both Krishma and I because both of us celebrated milestones in our lives.  Krishma got ENGAGED!!! CONGRATS & YEAY! We (all of her girlfriends) couldn't be more excited for her!

And my husband and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary - or the wooden anniversary as it is more commonly known.  To celebrate this monumental event in my life, we celebrated by eating LOTS & LOTS of food.  Matter of fact, I am going to have to workout extra hard this week because I'm pretty sure I packed on some major LBS from all the goodies I devoured!  One of the biggest hits of the weekend was spinach & mushroom enchiladas with an avocado sour cream sauce.  It was the perfect blend of creamy & spicy goodness.  I don't say this often but it is a must try!!! Try it at home and do let me know what you think of this awesome-sauce!

Ingredients:
1/2 - 3/4 cup reduced fat sour cream
3/4 cup half & half
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
1/4 cup water
1 & a half serrano peppers
Salt
Dash of lime juice
1/2 - 3/4 avocado (I used a little over a half but not quite 3/4)

Directions:
1.  Blend serrano peppers, cilantro leaves, avocado, & lime together in a blender or food processor.
2.  Mix in sour cream, water, half & half, salt, & lime juice until smooth and thick in consistency.**
3.  Pour in a container, cover, and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before using.  The longer the sauce sits, the better because it will give the flavors a chance to really develop. 

Yields roughly 2 cups (slightly more). 

**You may have to add more or less water depending on how thick you prefer the sauce.  It should be the consistency of gravy.  Keep in mind the sauce will thicken up as it cooks.

Below is a picture of the final product. Oh & don't worry folks, the recipe for the enchiladas and the salsa will follow soon. #YUM! :)

Medi Inspired Avocado Salad

What a busy weekend!!! Have you ever wondered where the weekend went?! Typically I tend to wonder that every weekend but more so today than in the past; mainly because I spent the weekend cleaning, running errands, and being "on the go" from the time I woke up until it was time to go to bed.  Which leads me to today's recipe...I absolutely love how clean, simple, easy, and quick this recipe is to make.  It's the perfect amount of right and refreshing on these hot summer days.  Make it at home the next time you are running around and I am sure you will agree.

Ingredients:

1 avocado, cubed

1/2 cucumber cubed or 1 Persian cucumber, cubed

1 roma tomato cubed or a hand full of cherry tomatoes, halved 

1/2 - 1 tsp lemon juice 

Fresh mint (about 4-6 leaves), cut in thin slivers

Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  Places all of the veggies together in a bowl and mix. I actually added some mushrooms in there but personally, I like it better without the 'shrooms. 

2.  Add in lemon, mint, salt, & pepper.

3.  Mix and add anything extra according to taste.

4. Enjoy!