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(I’ll get to the recipes in a minute.) Cookie got hurt this weekend. My worst fear about moving to this house came true when she raced out of my new front door toward the nearest busy street. When Cookie escapes, she doesn’t stop to smell the roses. My wild little dog shoots off like an arrow at 25 miles per hour. The following few and terrifying minutes ended with me abandoning my car in the middle of the road and racing to my injured baby like a crazed mama bear.
I think she’s going to be ok. The car hit one of her back legs, which is, miraculously, not broken. I took her back in yesterday to get her wounds stitched up and they discovered that the damage to her ankle is worse than we realized. Today, my bouncy circus dog’s back leg is bound in a polka-dotted purple cast and can’t jump onto the couch. She’s snoozing next to me now. Rest up, my sweet pup, because we have a million more miles to walk together.
I’ve spent the past few days watching Cookie’s chest rise and fall and feeling overwhelmingly thankful that she’s still here with me. Cookie is not “just a dog”. She’s my best friend. My sidekick. My chief crumb catcher and ornery assistant. My snuggle buddy and walking partner. Maybe you know what it’s like to love a dog so much.
I think that the only real positive outcome of this accident would be to prevent another accident. I have the name and number of one of the best animal behavior specialists around, so we’ll be working together on this. If you have experience with dogs that are flight risks, I’d love to hear your suggestions. Spare no expense.
In lieu of a new recipe today, I thought I’d create a little roundup of my favorite, seasonally appropriate Mexican recipes. Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner, and something about the Super Bowl makes us Americans crave spicy south-of-the-border snacks. (Maybe it’s all of the Tostito’s commercials?)
As usual, I don’t even know who’s playing, but I hope to share the day with friends and fill my belly with a homemade meal. I’m about to polish off the last of a delivery pizza, so I surely need some home-cooked goodness.
P.s. I’m always publishing more Mexican dishes, so check here for more Mexican recipes.
1) Butternut Squash Chipotle Chili with Avocado
Gluten free and vegan
Before we get any further, I should clarify that these meals are loosely inspired by my favorite Mexican meals. I have no idea if vegetarian chili is served anywhere in Mexico, but I do know that this chili has been a hit for those who have tried it. I’m also noting which recipes are vegan and gluten free (they’re all vegetarian) since diets become more important when you’re serving a crowd.
2) Beer Bean-Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Gluten free if your beer is gluten free
Roasted pepper stuffed with boozy beans and spices. I’m not entirely convinced that the beer evaporates during cooking so you might not want to serve this to kids.
3) Blue Corn Nachos with Homemade Guacamole
Gluten free
Nachos are a necessity. These are covered in vegetables for less damage. You’ll also find a recipe for guacamole with chopped radishes, so good.
4) Black Bean Salsa
Gluten free and vegan
This was my first recipe post ever. I got such nice feedback on it that I posted more recipes, and here we are. This recipe yields a ton of salsa, so it would be a great addition to a potluck table. Bring chips, too.
5) Sweet Potato Burrito Smothered in Avocado Salsa Verde
Vegan option
People freak out over this avocado sauce. You gotta try it.
6) Crispy Mushroom, Spinach and Avocado Quesadillas
Gluten free if your tortillas are gluten free
Crispy grilled cheese on the outside. Mushrooms, sautéed spinach and avocado on the inside. These still taste good after they’ve cooled, by the way.
7) Tortilla Soup
Gluten free and easily vegan
This is a recent favorite, a vegetarian tortilla soup flavored with a dried chili pepper.
8) Quinoa Black Bean Tacos with Creamy Avocado Sauce
Gluten free and vegan
I’m not sure if you can find quinoa tacos in Mexico, but these are sure delicious. They take cues from traditional beef tacos, so there’s that!
9) The Best Black Bean Soup
Gluten free and vegan
A creamy (yet cream-less), spicy, hearty soup. This would be a great main course for a crowd.
10) Skinny Lime Margaritas and Skinny Blood Orange Margaritas
Gluten free and vegan
Margaritas, of course! Basic lime on the left and a pretty pink variation on the right. Neither of these require orange liqueur, which means you can spend your money on a quality, 100 percent agave tequila instead. Your body will thank you the next day.
More resources you might appreciate: 13 healthy make-ahead breakfast recipes, 16 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You might also like my monthly seasonal produce guides and healthy kitchen essentials. View all roundups and resource posts here.
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