Super Bowl Nachos

My favorites foods for the Super Bowl (and really any football viewing party) are all classic game-day recipes, and today's recipe is no exception.

Here's a little secret though: I don't care about the Super Bowl. Yes, it's in San Francisco Santa Clara, and yes, I did go to watch fireworks at Super Bowl City, but don't count me in for watching the game. I'm actually going to be on a plane flying from Dallas to San Francisco (we're celebrating Z's mom's birthday this weekend). Given I have no attachment to either team, or really any pro football team for that matter, I am just going to finish reading the Nightingale on the plane.

That being said, there is something delicious about traditional football party food. Onion dip, wings, BBQ--all of it is so so delicious (and dangerous for the waistline). Nachos in particular are my weakness.

I like this recipe because a) it's vegetarian. Any vegetarian meal I can get Z to enjoy is a win in my book; b) it requires no specialty ingredients. You can buy everything at the normal grocery store and c) it looks great when you serve it directly from the cookie sheet, so no extra dishes!

Hope you have a great Super Bowl Sunday, whether you watch the game or not! Just make sure to eat a plate of nachos for me.

Super Bowl Nachos

Inspired by Bon Appetit

Serves 4-6

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 red onion

1 clove garlic

1 jalapeño

1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

6 ounces tortilla chips

2 cups shredded cheese, Mexican blend

Sour cream

Salsa

Guacamole

Lime wedges

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, jalapeño to skillet and stir until softened. Transfer to a food processor, add black beans, lime juice, 1/4 cup of water, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange half of chips on a baking sheet. Top with half of beans, then half of the cheese. Repeat with the remaining chips, beans, and cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add the sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and lime wedges to the sheet (one in each corner), then serve.

My Favorite Tropical Smoothie Recipe

New year, new resolutions, new smoothie recipes.

Z and I went traveling to Hawaii this past fall, and one of our favorite spots in Kauai was a small little cafe with great smoothies and coffee. We must have tried four or five different smoothies during our trip there, and my all time favorite was called the "Lava Lust" smoothie. 

The smoothie was creamy thanks to coconut milk, and had a tart taste from raspberries, pineapple, and mangoes. As soon as I tried this tropical smoothie, I knew I found a winner. It was so delicious and refreshing, and maybe it was the Hawaiian weather and locale, but to me, the smoothie was perfection. 

Now that its a new year, I'm trying to be healthier. I recently signed up for Class Pass, and I've been enjoying the variety in my workout routine. When it comes to food, I'm cutting out the kettle corn I munch on at work, and reducing the number of desserts I eat during the week. To be completely honest, it wasn't until very recently that I learned that the average person doesn't eat dessert every day. Oops. Thanks best friend V for pointing that out.

Smoothies are my go to during the week, when I want something sweet and creamy, but without processed sugar and flour. Thanks goodness our Nutribullet is easy to clean.

Here's another one of my favorite smoothie recipes in case you're looking for some variety!

Lava Lust Smoothie

1/3 cup frozen pineapple

1/3 cup frozen mango

1/3 cup frozen raspberries

1 1/2 cup coconut milk

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend until smooth. 

Enjoy!