Vegan Summer Squash Emapanadas

Dear Turkey,

I used to buy the

Wrappers, but this recipe

Is really speedy

Smoky, Savory, Cheesy Polenta

Dear Turkey,

Polenta is quick,

Tasty, and it's actually

Really good for you

Roasted Corn and Summer Squash Tacos

Dear Turkey,

Easy and tasty,

And can be a tostada

With greens tomorrow

Easy Mexican Creamed Corn

Dear Turkey,

Perfect for fresh corn

When it's not quite in season

To eat by itself

Taco Torte

Dear Turkey,

This looks like you spent

Hours making it, and tastes

Just as impressive

Spinach and Artichoke Enchiladas

Dear Turkey,

Even people who

Don't like Mexican food will

End up loving these

Black Beans, Green Peas, and Yellow Tomatoes

Dear Turkey,

A Mexican lunch

Was cancelled; I took matters

Into my own hands

Amazing Rice Cooker One Pot Beans and Rice

Dear Turkey,

I can't believe I

Never thought of this before --

It is so easy

Avocado Enchiladas

Dear Turkey,

Warm avocados

May sound weird to you, but I

Promise it does work

Green Rice and Red Beans

Dear Turkey,

Green rice and red beans

This is truly a match made

In cooking heaven

Tortillas!

Dear Turkey,

You do have time to

Make some tortillas from scratch

Your mouth will thank you

Quick Pickled Red Onions

Dear Turkey,

On your rice and beans,

Or on pasta or salad,

Or just in your mouth

Awesomely Tasty No-Chopping Tostadas

Dear Turkey,

Sometimes you want beans

But you don't want to make rice

'Cause that's for dinner

Mexican Casserole

Dear Turkey,

Thanksgiving is done

So here is something for your

Post-celebration

Creamy Pumpkin Mexican Beans and Rice

Dear Turkey,

When I invent a

New kind of beans and rice, I

Get so excited

Grilled Quesadillas

Dear Turkey,

Grill + Mexican

= really delicious

(and good left over)

East Meets West Tostada

Dear Turkey,

It's lunchtime.  If you're me, you want something Mexican, or at least with beans in it. But maybe you want something Asian, too, for a change. Something light with a tangy and sweet sauce.

This tostada doesn't even have rice on it, thereby allowing you to have ice cream cake for dessert. The shredded veggies are a fun contrast to the beans, and they make everything cook quickly. I wasn't sure if the smoky chipotle and cumin flavors would blend with the rice vinegar, or it would just taste like a mishmash, but it was awesome.

Beans and Bulgur

Dear Turkey,

Due to my ongoing interest in different beans and rices, I was inspired to make beans and bulgur. I knew that bulgur is awesome, cheap, healthy, and good for tabbouleh. So I figured that it would be good for beans, too. The best part is, you don't even have to cook it! I know!

I soaked my bulgur until it was just past al dente. It provides a great contrast to the soft/sweet/salty/saucy beans. Or, if you're bored, you can add some salt/lemon/bbq sauce/whatever to the bulgur, too.

Boston Beans and Rice

Dear Turkey,

Being a country girl, I haven't been to Boston since 2005. But if this is how beans and rice rolls there, then lucky them. I adapted this recipe from The Moosewood, and I'm guessing they called it "Boston" because the molasses makes it taste like baked beans, but way more interesting.

I was really excited by this recipe because I am always trying to expand my bean repertoire. These beans don't have anything spicy (although that can be remedied at time of eating by some Garlic Tabasco Sauce), but they do have mustard and tamari. And if that's not salty enough, you can serve them with rice pilaf from a box like I did.

Black Bean Enchiladas

Dear Turkey,

I love. enchiladas. I think they are my favorite Mexican dish. However, I felt like mine were always missing something, especially in the sauce department. So I was excited when I found a recipe that had some new strategies: broth and flour in the sauce (and way more chili powder than I usually use), canned black bean soup in the filling (cheating? okay with me).

These enchiladas were really delicious. It did seem like cheating to not actually cook anything for the bean mixture, but I will definitely be making them again.