Season Those Beans!

That belly!

I figured I'd start my post with a belly picture. That's Roxy having the best nap ever! I recently learned that she is considered a tortoiseshell cat! I've been reading up on what is known as tortitude, and she is full of it!
I was going to make black bean and sweet potato chili yesterday, but that idea morphed into a delicious pinto bean and sweet potato enchilada casserole. Super cheap and easy to make, and now I have breakfasts and lunches for the next few days. I had some well traveled cashews that moved with me from Seattle, so I made a little cashew cream to go on top. It was supposed to be cashew cheese, but I added a little too much water to the blender. Still worked!

Before baking

Fresh out the oven

I used this recipe for the sauce, and it was really tasty. I didn't have veggie stock, so I sauteed a small onion and two cloves of garlic with the spices and flour, and then blended the sauce once it was done. I don't feel like the flavor lacked at all. The filling is pinto beans, corn and sweet potato. All layered with flour tortillas. I roasted the cubed sweet potato with cumin and paprika, and I cooked the beans with garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt and pepper. I used to only add salt to the water when cooking dried beans, and man adding extra seasoning to the water really makes a difference in how they taste in the end. The more flavorful you can make your food, the easier it is to eat on a budget and not be depressed about it. To me, eating bland food is a sign that I've given up on life.

Sloppy, but delicious!!

I also added a handful of vegan shreds to the middle layer. Like less than a fourth of a cup. The Trader Joe's vegan shreds really liquefy when heated! I plan on using some for a vegan pizza. Hopefully it works!

Vegan everywhere!

I found this in my chocolate drawer, and I had forgotten all about it! The day I moved in to my apartment, I had to go to 7-11 to get money orders for the move in costs. Anyway, it was a crazy day with no sleep, and D was picking fights, I was scared, frazzled, and scared. And I remember seeing this and feeling better. I know it sounds crazy, but I was so scared Salt Lake City was going to be like Erie, so seeing a vegan chocolate bar in a 7-11 weirdly eased my mind. I know it sounds weird, I was on no sleep, so you know. Interestingly enough, the same 7-11 sells Amy's frozen vegan Pad Thai!  But back to chocolate, this bar is really tasty! The chocolate is smooth, and surprisingly creamy for dark chocolate, and it has the perfect amount of salt. Nice to have this option at a convenience store!

I leave you with this bundle of cuteness. Kanye likes to cram herself in the middle of two already sleeping and cuddling bodies. She has no shame!
Happy Wednesday!