Jazzed-Up Refried Beans

A good Latin flavored entree needs a good side dish.  

What's easier and better than refried beans?  Can't you just taste those hot, cheesy, comforting beans?  How about Jazzed-Up Refried Beans?

Well, this side dish is super simple to make, using a little help from purchased ingredients.  The goal is to jazz up boring canned refried  beans and make them in to a fabulous side dish that you crave!  Mixing canned refried beans with whole pinto beans gives them some chunky texture.  Adding the salsa provides that zip in the flavor that takes it to the next level.  The addition of the liquid from the whole beans and salsa loosens up the refried bean and creates a smooth comforting side dish that helps soothe the soul.  (Ok I might be getting carried away....) But, these are really good!

A few days ago I presented my Pinon Crusted Grilled Chicken, and served these alongside them.  A perfect compliment!  

Try these, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Jazzed-Up Refried Beans

Yield: 4 cups

1 15 oz can refried beans

1 15 oz can pinto beans

1 c salsa

¼ c Monterey Jack cheese

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, place both types of beans and salsa.  Stir to combine.  Heat until warm, about 5-6 minutes.  Place in a serving bowl and sprinkle with cheese.

Southern Sundays & Pinon Crusted Grilled Chicken

Welcome to Southern Sundays!

Since my mini vacation I've been remiss in posting any recipes.  So I thought I'd bring a little something to the party this week!

It's time for a Southwestern Fiesta.  The combination of chips, pine nuts and salsa turns chicken breasts into a dish with Latin flair!  The best part?  The chicken is grilled!

Crusted chicken usually involves an egg wash and flour, and messy fingers.  This technique skips all that by grilling the chicken briefly and then dipping the grilled side in salsa (a smooth version works best) and then in the pine nut and tortilla mixture.  Finish it up on the grill.  

The end result is that you have a wonderful one-sided crusted Southwestern dinner!  Oh, and don't forget to make the guacamole, it's a perfect compliment to this dish.  All this can be made in less than 30 minutes!  What a deal!

I served this with my jazzed up Refried Beans.  That recipe is coming up next!

Pinon Crusted Grilled Chicken

Serves 4

Guacamole:

2 large avocados, pitted and chopped

2 T fresh lime juice

2 T cilantro, chopped

1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

Salt

For the chicken:

¼ c chopped pinons (pine nuts)

½ c crushed tortilla chips

½ c salsa (use your favorite)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

salt & pepper

Preheat grill to medium-high.

Mash the avocado, lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeno in a medium bowl using a fork just until chunky.  Add salt to taste.  Cover and chill until use.

In a flat dish add pinons, and tortilla chips.  Stir to combine and set aside.  In another dish add salsa.  Set aside.

Salt and pepper both sides of your chicken.  Grill on medium high heat, covered, on the first side for about 5 minutes or until browned.  Take the chicken breast and dip the “cooked” side into the salsa.  Then dredge that same salsa side into the pinon crumb mixture. 

Return chicken to the grill with the crust side up.   Grill until cooked through, another 5-6 minutes.  Serve chicken over the guacamole.  

recipe shared at these parties:  Weekend Potluck
On the Menu Monday

Last week's party was filled with great dishes.  One dish stood out....way out from the crowd

Congratulations on being this week's featured dish!

Coconut Pound Cake with Lime Glaze

by Flour Me With Love

This looks awesome and reminds me of the tropics!

So let's party!  I can't wait to see what you all bring this week.  Make sure to tell all your friends so they can join the party as well!

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Enjoy, have fun, cook lots of food, and relish your Southern Sunday!

Southern Moments from Nashville

I just spent a wonderful few days just south of Nashville, TN visiting family.

The south is filled with such charm that I had to share some wonderful moments with you that depict the southern charm that abounds all around you.

Leaving LA, bye beach!

Hello Nashville!!!

See how green...so many trees!

The town of Franklin, TN is a quaint old town founded in 1799 and was the site of the the Battle of Franklin during the Civil War.  Downtown Franklin has such character I love strolling down the main street window shopping.  The house in the picture above is a wonderful old historic home built in the Folk Victorian style.  Isn't it beautiful?  The area has many historic homes and all are exciting to see.

First off Mom greeted me with her Famous Pot Roast.

This is the BEST dish.  You must make this if you love pot roast!

So on my last day there, my sister, suggested  that my mom and I go to a place she'd been to for breakfast., down the road.  "Down the road"...became 20 miles down the highway and out in the country to a little re-purposed Mercantile Store turned restaurant/bakery.  Enter Marcy Jo's.

My sweet Momma!

The place was cute, and the food homemade and delicious.  Oh, and they serve you a LOT of food!  Just take a gander at this breakfast special.  Fluffy, heavenly biscuits and gravy to DIE for, eggs, and bacon.  I had to walk the 20 miles back home just to walk off this indulgence!

One of the nicest parts?  The weather!  Wowee!  It was like Fall there.  Loved it, especially after the continual desert heat followed by monsoonal heat then desert heat again I left back in LA.

Look, fall colors are starting to appear!!!  So exciting!

So bye for now to my family that lives in such a quaint "Southern" town, and back home to LA.

Maybe I can bring some fall weather with me.  Fingers crossed!