Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas with Salsa

Back in the kitchen tonight... yesterday was a crazy day we had McDonald's whoops!

Part of my quest to eat less meat was inspired by Mark Bittman's Book "Food Matters" an easy read on eating more environmentally responsible. One of Mark's main points in his book it that "beans" are a great meat substitution, over the years the meat industry has actually convinced us that meat is the only good source of protein. It is Mark's mission to get everyone to eat and cook beans. The economics of cooking beans yourself is worth the little effort they actually take. I normally pay around $2.50-3.00 for a can of organic beans, I can buy of bag of organic uncooked beans for around $4.00 this makes about 8 cups, if this is not enough to convince you to cook your own beans the taste will.
Start with your bag / bulk beans about 2-3 cups put them in a large pot (10-12 cups) Fill the pot 3/4 full of water, put the lid on and walk away. The next day when you have a few minutes rise the beans in cold water put them back in the pot with a little less water than the day before and boil for 10-15 minutes, turn off and walk away. If you do this last step in the morning the beans should be ready by supper, if you do this in the afternoon / evening drain and rise them in morning. These freeze really well ... 1 minute in the microwave to unthaw.

Tonight’s dinner:
Corn Black Bean Quesadilla with Salsa

These takes about 15 minutes to make including cooking time.
1/2 - 1 Cup of Corn
1/2-1 Cup of Black Beans
1-2 cups of shredded cheese
4-8 tortilla shells depending on hunger level

Heat frying pan to medium heat add the Quesadilla cook for 3 minutes on each side, cut and serve with Salsa.

I recently started to make my own salsa is so easy! Put 1/4 of a small onion in the food processor until fine, add a piece of jalapeno if desired and a handful of fresh cilantro once these are finely chopped add 2-3 Romano tomatoes ( any tomatoes will work) chop slightly until chunky. I do have a secret ingredient I use in all my Mexican cooking salsa, quesadilla etc. I bought this bottle of season at Loco Boco about 4 years ago it is almost gone so I do hope I can get more, it is called Tajin Fruit and Snack Seasoning it adds a little zip. Enjoy your Quesadilla.