the Poetic Eye: Happy Birthday, Steve!

every year my husband requests a special meal for his birthday. this year it was tostadas. (i had made his favorite dish two days earlier, so we had to fall back and punt this year.)

i grilled 2 lbs. chicken breasts (chicken fajita) on a "comal" with onions. if the breasts are very thick, pound thin or cut in half through the center not down the middle.

cooked 1 lb. black beans. when done, i put them in a skillet with 1 tb. olive oil and 1 clove diced garlic. simmer 5 min. then smash for the "refried" texture. i do not like mine pureed--i like them lumpy. smash until you're happy. add salt, pepper, garlic salt, and a touch of cumin to taste.

prep all the essentials for "guacamole". mine isn't traditional. i grew up with salt, pepper, tomatoes, and onions in my guacamole and i hate it. now i add 1-2 tb. cilantro, 1/2 lime (juiced), generous pinch of: salt, pepper, and garlic salt. that's it. slowly add the

ingredients until you find the taste you like.