The Musical Fruit

Is there anything more versatile and exciting than the bean? Answer: No. They can be baked, refried, shaped like kidneys, and incorporated into soups, burritoes, and salads; Weezer sang about them (sort of); and we even know their dietary and intestinal benefits through a children's chant (also sort of). The bean is probably the most perfect food in existence.

What's also great about them is their cost: beans are cheap, man. Anyone on the Food Network will tell you that dumping them into your "tacos" will yield almost twice the amount of goods for a fraction of the price. It's easy too. I've been recently relying on these little tips because my February Fatigue has been settling in, and the last thing I want to think about is anything more complicated than opening a can and emptying out its contents straight into a pot. Good thing beans are also really tasty.

Ingredients:

1 clove garlic
1 green pepper
1 yellow onion
1 can of black beans
Salt and pepper
1 tbs olive oil

tortillas

Optional
1 chicken breast
A dash of cumin (no more than 1/4 tsp)

1. If you're using chicken (which I recommend; it adds a nice texture, but it's not necessary), cut it up first into bite-sized cubes and season with cumin and salt and pepper. Heat the oil over medium heat and toss that chicken in. Cook for about 5 minutes or until it's no longer pink. Remove from pan and set aside.

2. Mince the garlic and cut the onion and pepper into strips; then sprinkle with salt and pepper for taste. Add them to the pan and saute for another 5-10 minutes or until the onion is transluscent.

3. Open the can of beans and drain them (just by pushing the can's top into them so the liquid is forced out--there's no need to rinse them or anything like that). Add the chicken back into the pan and pour the beans over everything. Lower the heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes or until the beans are heated through.

Spoon that mess into a toasted tortilla and eat immediately. Could it get any better? Answer: Probably, but that's for another blog post--perhaps when Jubilant June rolls around.