An Itinerant Seller of Pigeons

1 tsp olive oil
1/2 c minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 c breadcrumbs
2 canned chipolte chilies, plus 2 tbsp adobo sauce
1 egg, beaten

In small skillet, heat olive oil. Add onion, saute for 2 minutes. Add garlic, saute for 2 minutes, until both are tender. Cool slightly.

In a large bowl, mash beans lightly with potato masher or fork. In food processor, blend chilies and adobo sauce well, and add to beans. Add onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, and egg white. Stir well. Allow to rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Shape mixture into 4 patties, and place on waxed paper. Refrigerate patties for a few hours to give flavors a chance to meet.

These patties can be grilled or pan fried. If grilling, spray rack with oil. If pan frying, heat a small amount of oil in skillet. Cook 3 minutes each side, until crispy and browned.

Excellent for breakfast, as a snack, or with dinner.

PEANUT BUTTER PANCAKES

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

1¼ Cups Plain flour, sieved
2 Tbsp Sugar
2½ Tsp Baking powder
½ Tsp Salt
1¼ Cups Semi skimmed milk
1 Egg
¼ Cup Peanut butter (I used crunchy)
3 Tbsp butter, melted (I used olive oil)

Pancakes

1 1/2 cups flour
2tbsp sugar
3tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 3/4 cups milk
2tbsp oil or melted butter

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Whenever I get a package of plain M&Ms, I make it my duty to continue the strength and robustness of the candy as a species. To this end, I hold M&M duels.Taking two candies between my thumb and forefinger, I apply pressure, squeezing them together until one of them cracks and splinters. That is the “loser,” and I eat the inferior one immediately. The winner gets to go another round.

I have found that, in general, the brown and red M&Ms are tougher, and the newer blue ones are genetically inferior. I have hypothesized that the blue M&Ms as a race cannot survive long in the intense theatre of competition that is the modern candy and snack-food world.

Occasionally I will get a mutation, a candy that is misshapen, or pointier, or flatter than the rest. Almost invariably this proves to be a weakness, but on very rare occasions it gives the candy extra strength. In this way, the species continues to adapt to its environment.

When I reach the end of the pack, I am left with one M&M, the strongest of the herd. Since it would make no sense to eat this one as well, I pack it neatly in an envelope and send it to M&M Mars, A Division of Mars, Inc., Hackettstown, NJ 17840-1503 U.S.A., along with a 3×5 card reading, “Please use this M&M for breeding purposes.”

This week they wrote back to thank me, and sent me a coupon for a free 1/2 pound bag of plain M&Ms. I consider this “grant money.” I have set aside the weekend for a grand tournament. From a field of hundreds, we will discover the True Champion.

There can be only one.