7th grade.... :)

This here is my BFF Terry or Ter as I call her.

I met her the first week of 7th grade at Poston Jr. High where I was the

new girl. What started out as a sweet hello in the lunch line, ended

up a forever friendship:)

Our birthdays are 2 days apart, so that makes us kinda twinsies:)

I love her. I reeeeally love her.

Besides being a fantastic mama, grandma, sister and friend...

She makes tamales.

Uh huh. 

If you have a friend for over 30 years? You're blessed.

If that friend makes tamales??? Queue choir of angels:)

 Well last night I cooked me up those lovely tamales. Alongside them?

These lovely black beans...

This original recipe is from Bobby Flay, but I learned it from my 

brother in law who coincidentally is named Bob and who I also

met in 7th grade! And I love him. I reeeally love him.

Who knew after meeting him that years later he would marry

my sister?? cute huh??

Here's what you'll need:

1- onion chopped

2 garlic cloves chopped

3- cans black beans- drained

1- chipotle chile in adobo sauce (or more to taste)

1 tsp.(ish) of ground cumin

chicken broth

salt

Coarsely chop up your onion and garlic. You'll be pureeing the whole thing at 

the end so no need to worry about perfection here:)

This is where I look over my shoulder and make sure my mom can't

see me open up cans of beans. hee hee

She would use dry and cook them just like Bobby Flay would,

but I ain't got that kinda time!! 

Throw the chopped onions, garlic, drained beans, cumin, and chipotle in your pot.

Pour chicken broth in just until it covers the beans.

Cook everything over medium heat until the onions

look good and soft.

Since you're working with canned cooked beans, you're really

just looking for the doneness of the onions.

This is the point where I add salt, and taste to see if I need to

add more chipotle.

When the onions are done ladle the entire yumminess
in the pot (I do it in batches) into your

food processor and pulse till smooth:)

This here is the bestest of toppings:)

-a dollop of creme fraiche

-some crumbles of cotija cheese

-chopped cilantro

Everyone who's ever had these beans at my house loves them,

so much so that they are commonly referred to as "THE beans".

I'm telling you the smokey flavor in them is soo delish you'll

make them over and over again!

And so I must say thank you Bob and Ter for what you've given me all

these years later. Who would've known... 

all this love... on one plate:)

**and thank you Brad H. for the blog post idea:)