How was your yesterday?
I found myself recovering from a very bad cold that left me with a residual cough.
Cinco de Mayo was here, and I really didn’t feel like going out.
Very unusual for Chef Marian, no?
YES! VERY UNUSUAL, CHEF MARIAN!
And with all the label reading, seeing that most refried beans on the market contain either lard, or hydrogenated fat…. I found myself without refried beans. (Of course, when I shopped today, I did find a non fat can of refried beans so I added that to my pantry).
But there I was, under the weather but still wanting something for Cinco de Mayo. So here’s what I did:
I noticed I had a can of chili (I think it was Amy’s or something really edible). I mixed it with shredded chicken. I topped it with a couple of tablespoons of both white cheddar and mozzarella (really thin shreds so not much cheese). Oh yeah. And I realized I had a small can of green chili’s, I bought months prior for the heck of it.
Well, that little can saved my life! lol
I couldn’t find my Tapatio …. spicy but with flavor, (as compared to just spice)…. and I found that a little can of green chili’s goes a long way. So …… chopped lettuce, tomato, and a basis of chicken, beans and cheese for the bottom of the taco (pre-cooked in the oven, so that you can take scoops of it with pre-melted cheese and just spoon it into the bottom of your shell). Did I mention we’re having taco’s? Yes. Taco’s.
WITHOUT SALSA CHEF MARIAN?
Never. Never without salsa. But guess what? When I opened 2 of the avocado’s they were brown. Don’t you just hate that?
YES CHEF MARIAN. WE HATE THAT!
You are such good cheerleaders! Thanks so much!
Anyway, I still made onions, tomatoes, garlic, lemon, cilantro and what avocado there actually was. Mixed everything up, with a little of that green chili and I must say, it was pretty great on the taco.
Cranked out a little brandy to help stop my cough (taquilla never does much for me) and celebrated my very own Cinco de Mayo!
Why do we think we have to always have the right ingredients? Whether it’s for Cinco de Mayo, or just your every day meal. You can do it! Use what you have in the pantry and go for the flavor of what you’re trying to create. No fear!
And it’s that ‘no fear in the kitchen’ that I need to give to you.
Some chefs give you instructions for milk, cheese, butter, cream…. tell you to deep fry it all, to go for the flavor. I tell you don’t. Take natural healthy products, draw out natural flavors and do your best to create something really satisfying.
I will do my best to share all my personal challenges (like stuck without the right ingredients and make it all work just the same), and show you how a mistake is a great opportunity to create! Keep reading and if you haven’t read the rest of my blogs…. there’s no time like the present!
Happy Eating,
Chef Marian