Refried Tequila Black Beans

A bowl of black beans is difficult to photograph, but these were just too good to keep to myself. For reals.

I was making tacos for dinner tonight after spending an hour at the dog park with the pups (you didn't think I could go a whole post without mentioning them, did you?), so it had to be quick. So here's the down and dirty for my awesome, stumbled-upon...

Kinda Refried Tequila Black Beans

1 tbsp. Olive oil

1/3 onion, chopped

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup tequila

2 tbsp. Smart Balance (or butter)

1 tsp. taco seasoning

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, a few minutes. Add the black beans and tequila, reduce the heat to medium low. Cook until the beans are soft, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes. Add the Smart Balance and taco seasoning and mash with a potato mashed or fork. Enjoy!

These are really, really simple and tasty. They're also a great base to create from; add jalapenos, sriracha, cheese, or whatever else tickles your pickle. I'm sure it will taste just as good, better even. I wish I had made a double batch!

Picture of the Pups

Happy boy at the park

There's not too much happening around here lately. Last weekend my parents visited and we watched their dog Belle while they went in to the city. Chris and I saw Contagion (I really wanted to wash my hands right after the movie) and had dinner at one of our favorite Mexican places, The Prickly Pear Cantina. We've been to the dog park, of course. And I've been taking Roland to work with me every few weeks. So here's a bunch of pictures (through Instagram) to make you happy!

Helping me at my desk

Sleeping under my desk at work

On a walk

Surveying his kingdom

Belle the Border Collie

What happens when Belle visits

Headed to the dog park

Always smiling

Swimming Bulldog

Can you touch your tongue to your nose?

I took the a vacation day from work today, and took the pups out to Shadow Cliffs for some fun in the water. Its about 90F here, so any outside fun needs to be near the water for the bulldog. This is one of my favorite places to go, and its been a little while since I've been here (all those links are previous entries about Shadow Cliffs). There are a few changes, a new bench, a tree is gone, the water is higher, but its still got a great little beach for the dogs to access the water. Roland pretty much ignored the water when we went to the beach, but not here. Here he swam!

He was a little hesitant at first.

But then he got the hang of it.

Here's a little video of when the two first got in the water.

And Rollie made some friends.

He following Ayla around with her ball.

He played with sticks.

Ayla says hi!

He rested a bit too.

And then dove right back in.

Ayla bobbed for some broken rubber balls that had sunk. She loves this game, but usually when the balls are still floating.

Then Roland started really getting tired. After all, this is usually nap time for him.

Ayla was suddenly very alert.

But she's no retriever, so watching is all she did.

I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to summer, and its just now really starting to feel warm like it should be. But happy Labor Day nonetheless!