Ain’t nothin’ sad about our cheery night – just listening to “Christmas Blues” on Pandora and eating blue corn tostadas covered in red and green peppers!
To start, we primed the engines with pumpkin homebrew:
And then got to work layering the following:
- Whole Foods blue corn tortillas
- Harris Teeter Naturals black bean refried beans (ingredients: beans, salt, water) that were mixed with a can of Rotel
- Chopped red and green peppers
- Shredded sharp cheddar
- Pickled jalapenos
Each layer was baked for 3-5 minutes before adding the next.
Greek yogurt and cilantro to garnish –
I cut mine like a pizza for ease of eating.
They were DA-licious!!!!!!!!!!!! Like giant nachos. The blue corn tortillas, however, were still bad. Do not buy them. Blah.
We probably didn’t need them, but I bought a head of romaine to serve on top but since it was cold it just didn’t make sense. So we made side salads with more peppers, garlic gold oil, avocado, cilantro and nutritional yeast, which was a brilliant addition because it made the salad buttery (garlic gold) and cheesy!!
Why do I always end up with rotten avocados in my cart!?!? At least part of this was salvageable.
Somehow more of this appeared at my seat!
After dinner we got our wrap on.
I am the World’s Worst Present Wrapper. And I don’t care! I believe in recycling and wrapping things just enough so the gift doesn’t show through. All of my presents are wrapped in recycled containers – with recycled bows.
An O Magazine cover was perfect for mom!
I got a little crafty with the wines
Nite!
{ 83 comments… read them below or add one }
I am not a great wrapper either. Goes along with me sucking at crafts.
Love the wrap jobs!
Your blue tortilla creation looks delicious, Kath! Did you know that you can make them at home, too? Blue corn masa is super easy to work with.
Does that require a tortilla press or just a hot skillet?
tortillas are SO EASY to make. I made them in culinary school once just a hot griddle or pan is all you need!
They are really easy. You don’t need a press. I feel like I should make them more.
Your dinner looks so colorful and spicy — I need to make Mexican one night this week. Yum!
I’ve heard more about this recycled wrapping paper movement lately. Apparently, they make cloth wrapping paper that is essentially a decorated sack. I’m curious to see if it catches on, but I know a lot of people (myself included) love tearing through the paper!
I wrapped all my gifts last year in TJ’s and WFs paper bags! They’re so thick no one can peek at what’s inside. I’m loving the Mexican food at the KERFs lately!
I have about the same luck with avocados lately, so frustrating. The tostadas look wonderful! I adore your gift wrapping and need to try that next year, beautiful job!
I wrapped a bunch of presents in Whole Foods bags! The O Mag is a great idea, my mom would love it!
Also, those tostadas look amazing. We cook so much Mexican but haven’t eaten those in forever! Will do soon, ESPECIALLY with blue corn, my fav!
i love the wrapping! haha its great ! my mom is like a professional wrapper.. she told me she use to wrap presents as a job when she was younger in a store.. i strive to be like her..hahaha
Dinner looks lovely and I love the creative present-wrapping. And can I say I always think I am the only one who ends up with rotting avocados (especially this time of year) – I am sorry yours had gone bad too
Now I suddenly don’t feel ad for being terrible at wrapping gifts!
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1498758429359 I wanted to share this video, I think all runners will appreciate it! Dinner looks amazing and I LOVE your wrapping ideas!
LOL!!!!!!!
I get so frustrated with rotten avocados! Nope, you’re not the only one.
I am not a great wrapper AT ALL, but I love your recycled paper idea! I have sooo much extraneous wrapping paper, but when I run out I plan on doing the same!
I wrap my prezzies the same way. It’s what’s inside that counts!
“I believe in recycling and wrapping things just enough so the gift doesn’t show through. All of my presents are wrapped in recycled containers – with recycled bows. “—-
AMEN that is awesome!! I wish more ppl thought like that! We all have seen garbage bags full of wrapping paper from even a very small family gathering opening presents. Such waste!
I love your food in this post. And homebrew. And wine.
I dig this post, Kath!
Agreed! We wrapped all of our presents in newspaper and magazines this year. I refuse to buy several feet of paper that will only be ripped off! I find that it’s easier to wrap with newspaper and there are never scraps left over like there are with wrapping paper. We tried to match the paper with the gift as well (kids in comics, my brother-in-law’s in the sports page, etc)!
We did use some bags, but those are from last year. Bags are awesome because they can be reused over and over and over!!!
my last two avocados, bought at kroger coincidentally, were no good either.
I love using old magazines, catalogs and such as wrapping paper!
I have a silver Sharpie I use to write on wine bottles.
I love the wrapper with Oprah’s face peeking out!
Dinner looks awesome. I love all natural refried beans.
Great idea with the mexican pizzas! I am going to have to try that.
that looks like a FABULOUS dinner!
Your wrapping skills are pretty fantastic, not going to lie
I had a tortilla pizza tonight and wrapped presents with my mom after dinner while listening to Christmas carols. Same wave length? 
Haha I always wrap things in newspaper and old magazines. This year, it’s gonna be all New York Times and Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
I love that Oprah wrapping— I need to do that for my mom! That dinner looked so good and easy to make, I think I’ll try it with WFM’s whole wheat or red pepper tortillas
You brought back memories of my dad. He always bought us one special gift and put it in a brown paper grocery bag. Good memories.
I can’t wrap presents to save my life. Gift bags all the way.;)
That dinner looks delicious!
Dinner looks delish + kudo’s to you with your wrapping idea!
i have bad luck with avocados myself
Thos tostadas look delicious!! I absolutely hate it when I open up an avocado and find that it is rotten! So Frustrating!! I am not the best wrapper either, but my mom is amazing so I always feel so much pressure to make my gifts look nice.
So…I wanted to pass along a little bit of advice when it comes to avocados (hope it wasn’t already mentioned…I tried looking through just incase but gave up). When you are purchasing an avocado, first of all, squeeze it. Not too tight (which browns them), but make sure that it is still firm. Secondly, push in the stem (this step is KEY). If it goes in easily, and the avocado feels fairly hard to the touch….then that is the avocado you want. If it goes in a little too easy….try another one, and if you have to literally push as hard as possible….then it isn’t ripe enough (which you can easily solve by putting the avocado in a brown paper bag, or leaving it out over night). Hope my advice helps! This is a wonderful tip that I learned from my husband’s grandmother in Mexico! If anyone is an expert….she is!
Such colourful dinners you have! Amazing!
I love that you use recycled materials to wrap your gifts; although, I can also picture you with the cutest wrapping paper and bright orange ribbons =]
Those look so tasty and colorful! I so plan to make them in the next couple of days!
Awesome, you’ve just inspired my New Years Eve menu! And I love your wrapping, especially the bow!
Wasting money (and resources) on wrapping paper is so pointless. And, no, I’m not just bitter because I’m horrible at wrapping! (Well, that might be part of it…)
I’m all about the newspaper wrapping!
I love the wrapping! I reuse everything. Someone may end up with a present wrapped in wedding paper.
Those tortillas look wonderful. Definitely reminds me of a huge nacho.
Those look SO GOOD! I need to make that ASAP!!
I love your wrapping btw. I love that you recycle paper to wrap. I hate spending so much money on paper that everyone is going to tear apart in seconds.
Those tostadas look YUMMMMMMMMMMMY! Love all the toppings.
I like your wrapping; wrapping paper is such a waste. Wish it wasn’t so cute!
I like the idea of wrapping in newspapers. To avoid wasting wrapping paper, I use bags. This way, I can reuse them AND I don’t have to wrap. My wrapping jobs are pitiful!
I love your wrapping! I think it is unique and very eco-friendly
Thanks for the tip on not buying WF brand blue corn tortillas. Love blue corn chips though. Maybe i’ll just buy the flour and make my own as I do with yellow corn!
i’m the same way about wrapping. i also know how to make a nice pom-pom out of old plastic bags and a rubber band!
Happy nearly Xmas Kath!
). I recently switched to always using full fat and feel so so much better but I know many more traditional RD’s still really believe in low/non fat. I’ve been reading LOTS about both arguments and was wondering where you stood?
That food looks gooood! I was wondering where you stand on the whole full fat/low fat/ non fat dairy thing? (This is following on from your greek yogurt thing btw
ps – major mexican food craving now!
I’m a big fan of low-fat. I think it’s a meet-in-the-middle solution. I do believe in fat, but I think whole milk products are a bit heavy on it. Not that I wouldn’t eat them or that I wouldn’t recommend them, but I think for MOST people who probably err on the side of overeating, low-fat is the way to go.
Thanks so much Kath! One of the interesting things Im finding as I study nutrition is how much of a need there is to differentiate diet advice for young women, who may have a history of calorie restricted dieting, with overweight adults who often have a history of overeating. I definitely believe the weston price foundation nutrition ideals have helped me to restore my health, but I dare say there could be aspects of it less suitable for overweight people who eat too much.
Really kind of you to get back to me – Happy Xmas!
That food looks so delicious!
Dinner looks fantastic once again. I HATE wrapping. I think it’s the ban of my existence. I keep putting it off but just realized that I’m desperately running out of time.
I with you on the wrapping! Last year I bought expensive wrapping paper that turned out to be just crappy – it was real thin and kept tearing. This year I collected paper sacks from the grocery for a couple of weeks and used that as wrapping paper!
This dish looks amazing!
I love how you used newspaper and magazines to wrap gifts!
I love making tostadas!!! I never thought to bake each layer before adding a new layer, I’ll have to try that next time.
I’m a horrible present wrapper!
Jen
Those tostadas look really good. I’ve been craving Mexican food lately but haven’t had it yet. This kicks up the craving!
Avocados are so hit or miss for me these days! Sometimes they’re over ripe. Sometimes they’re perfect. Not even a hand squeezing test can always tell the difference! Even still, your dinner looks fabulous.
Love your gift wrapping!
I’m glad I’m not the only one uses newspapers and other items to wrap their gifts! I figure it’s just going to get ripped off anyway, might as well do some recycling while I’m at it.
SOOO glad I’m not the only one who wraps presents in newspaper! My family laughs at me for it, but I think it’s a great idea
I also use brown paper bags…reminds me of covering school books back in junior high!
Mm those tostadas look delicious! Love the wrapping job
I love that you use newspaper and magazines to wrap your presents! I totally cringe at all the wrapping paper that gets thrown out on Christmas. And even worse, it’s usually not able to be recycled, so it goes into the garbage!
I think this is the best looking dish you’ve ever made. In my opinion
I’m terrible with wrapping – I don’t think I’ll ever get the hang of it. Love the use of magazines and newspapers though!
I love your recycled wrappings, and I’m right there with you on not caring that much about wrapping presents. I like the idea of making some simple cloth bags of various sizes that we can use over and over again, but I haven’t been that ambitious yet.
Those presents are hilarious!
The wrapping is awesome!
I love nut yeast on salad, yum!
Love the wrapping too but I think you need to let me teach you how to make recycled bows!
Awesome that you’re reusing for wrapping !
If you’re not done wrapping and are still feeling crafty, check out these easy-to-make, re-purposed magazine page bows:
http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2009/10/make-gift-bow-from-magazine-page.html?spref=fb
I made some the other night and once you get the hang of it (i.e., be precise and even with your folding), they turn out per.fect. !
Those are gorgeous, but I think they are too advanced for me
I’m not the best crafter by far (can’t cut a straight line for the life of me), but managed to get these done. If you’re tight on time though, I wouldn’t bother. It took me about an hour to make two (but, they get easier as you make more).
this sounds like a perfect, simple mexican dinner…holy yum!
A little trick to see if an avocado is still “good” inside – look for the removable “seed” at the head of it. If it’s intact, it should be ripe and no brown inside. If that is missing, don’t buy that one!
That looks like my kind of dinner!
I am cracking up at your gift wrapping lol! Very cute hahah! And those tostadas look amazing, I need to add them to my list of things to make, thank you
I don’t eat most of the ingredients you have used in this,but when I see all these pictures I can’t stop myself from wanting to try it. I am surely going to try it out.
Nothing is worse than getting a crappy avocado. It’s depressing.
My boss has a grove, so I haven’t had that problem in awhile. And at the farmer’s market, I now have a favorite vendor, and I know they will always be perfect.
I would recommend you start tracking where the bad avos come from, and maybe find a different store. My friends have had luck with Costco.
I don’t like wasting wrapping papers too. If I can’t find one to recycle, I end up just not wrapping it.
So…I wanted to pass along a little bit of advice when it comes to avocados (hope it wasn’t already mentioned…I tried looking through just incase but gave up). When you are purchasing an avocado, first of all, squeeze it. Not too tight (which browns them), but make sure that it is still firm. Secondly, push in the stem (this step is KEY). If it goes in easily, and the avocado feels fairly hard to the touch….then that is the avocado you want. If it goes in a little too easy….try another one, and if you have to literally push as hard as possible….then it isn’t ripe enough (which you can easily solve by putting the avocado in a brown paper bag, or leaving it out over night). Hope my advice helps! This is a wonderful tip that I learned from my husband’s grandmother in Mexico! If anyone is an expert….she is!
Those look DELish!! I LOVE Mexican!! Love your gift wrapping idea!!
I know what I’m making for lunch manana! I eat a lot of bean & cheese qusadillas but these look like a better way to add in some vegs