10-minute Beans

olive oil
a small onion
1/2 bell pepper (any colour, and/or use a hot variety)
a carrot
chili powder
cumin powder
a small tomato
a clove of garlic
1/2 can of kidney beans
cilantro
1/2 an avocado (or more)

In a frying pan, heat a small amount of oil over medium-high heat.  Chop up the onion and add to the pan.  Do the same with the pepper(s), carrot, and anything else you wish to add.  Shake in some chili and cumin powders to taste and stir.  Mash the garlic then chop it with the tomato.  Add these to the pan as well, then stir.  Rinse and drain the beans, then dump them into the mixture.  Add a dash of tequila, or lime juice, or orange juice, or all three.  Scrape up any brown bits.  Chop up the cilantro and dice the avocado.  Turn off the heat, toss in these last two ingredients and serve.

Corn Soup with Avocado and Shrimp

handful shrimp
juice from 1/2 a lime
1 shot of tequila (or agave nectar cut with water)
crushed chili flakes
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 a small onion
1/4 sweet bell pepper
oregano
1 can creamed corn
1/2 an avocado


Peel the shrimp and marinate in a few drops of the lime juice and tequila, along with some salt and pepper, and chili flakes. Set this aside while you mince the garlic and, chop the the onion and bell pepper into tiny bits.

Heat some oil in a frying pan over medium-high then add the garlic, onion, and peppers. to get all the flavours out and blended.  Add all that remains of the lime juice and the shot of tequila, and a pinch of oregano.  Stir, scraping up any brown bits, then add the can of creamed corn.

In a separate frying pan, over high heat add a drop of oil and quickly cook the shrimp, along with any liquid from the marinade.  As soon as one side turns pink, turn off the heat and flip the shrimp so they cook on the other side.

Add the shrimp to the soup which should be heated to serving temperature by now, but not boiling. Garnish with diced or sliced avocado.

Variation:
Replace the shrimp with slices of cured (Spanish) chorizo.  Follow the same directions, replacing the word “pink” with “brown”.