Foodie Friday - My Mad Mexican Obsession and Recipes for Such.

I have recently discovered the avocado.


I spent most of my younger years (the years leading up to about 2 months ago) eschewing all things avocado because Weight Watchers tells me that it's "faaaaaahttening".


I was trying some samples at my local natural foods store and they had Mad Mexican Chunky Guacamole and Taco Chips on for offer. As it was free, I had to give it a try.

I swear I saw God.


This is the best, most creamily delicious green crud you will ever scoop up on a taco chip in your whole life. Or at least it was in mine. So far. Which isn't saying much as I have hardly ever had guac before. But let us not distract ourselves from the task at hand: Worshipping Mad Mexican Guac and Chips.


The chips and guacamole lasted about 10 minutes once I got it home. I think it's supposed to serve 6. Or 20. Probably 20. It is that good.


I knew I couldn't justify snacking like that too often/ever again, so I wanted to come up with more healthy, balanced ways of sneaking this delicious elixir into my meals.


I knew I'd have to forgo the chips. Period. Too bad. They rock.


So I came up with a couple recipes that could accommodate My New Love.







I cooked up these Black Bean Quesadillas with Spinach and Guacamole in an effort to justify my fix. The beans for protein, the greens for, well, greens, and the guac for my ever nagging jones.


I started with a basic recipe from the nice lady over at Olives For Dinner, and made my adjustments from there. Her recipe calls for four times the amount of spices, which makes me think it must be a type-o and I reduced it drastically. It would have been overpowering, I think, otherwise.

INGREDIENTS

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp salt

1/2 red onion or 3 small shallots, chopped

4-6 cloves garlic, sliced

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup chopped spinach or chard (I used chard)

12 cherry tomatoes, halved

Pepper Jack daiya

Mad Mexican Guacamole or some other inferior guac that you like.

8 whole grain tortillas

olive oil

to serve: fresh cilantro, vegan sour cream, salsa

METHOD

Preheat your oven to 400. Combine spices together in a small bowl. Set aside. 

Heat about half tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the onions saute until soft. Add in the garlic and saute for a minute more. Add the spice blend to the skillet and mix well, sauteing about a minute more. 

Add in the black beans and spinach, along with about 4 Tablespoons water. Saute for a few minutes until greens are slightly wilted, but still bright green. Remove from the heat and throw in the tomatoes.

Place a tablespoon of oil onto a cookie sheet. Place the tortilla onto the oil and swirl it around, and then flip it over. Place into the oven to bake for 5-7 minutes, or until slightly browned. Remove from the oven and repeat oiling a fresh tortilla. Place a generous amount of the skillet mixture onto the tortilla and place into the oven. Bake for 7-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with a handful of the daiya and some chopped fresh cilantro. Spread a generous amount of Mad Mexican Guac on one of the first baked tortilla , turn over and place the cooked tortilla on top. Slice into quarters with a pizza wheel or very sharp knife.

Serve with vegan sour cream and salsa.

Easy Delicious Appetizers using Mad Mexican Guacamole Because it is Freaking Awesome.

Ingredients:

Ace Bakery Rosemary and Sea Salt Crisps

--->

Hummus - home made or store bought

Mad Mexican Guac

Cherry Tomatoes, diced

Cilantro

Spread hummus and then guac on as many crisp bread pieces as you intend to serve/cram into your cake hole. Top with tomatoes and cilantro. Fill gullet.

I have recently sampled Mad Mexican's Two-Way Jalapeño Black Bean Dip. The wheels are already turning.

Serving Size 1 1 quesadilla (0g)
Servings Per Container 4

Amount Per Serving

 Calories from Fat 150

Calories 410

%Daily Value*

26%

Total Fat 17g

20%

Saturated Fat 4g

Trans Fat 0g

0%

Cholesterol 0mg

33%

Sodium 800mg

17%

Total Carbohydrate 50g

40%

Dietary Fiber 10g

Sugars 5g

Protein 12g

Vitamin C 20%

•

Vitamin A 0%

Iron 15%

•

Calcium 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

	Calories:	2,000	2,500
Total Fat	Less than	65g	80g
Sat Fat	Less than	20g	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2,400mg	2,400mg
Total Carb		300g	375g
Dietary Fiber		25g	30g

*nutrition info not for sure, for sure.