DAY NINE

So, here's a lesson for you guys.

When it is Mother's Day, and you offer to make your mother dinner, do not assume that she is simply your innocent mother whom you think will probably be the most supportive out of all your family members in your mission of vegetarianism. Because what you will find is that she is in fact closely related to Satan and is just waiting for an opportunity to mercilessly torture you and stretch your willpower to the very limits of its endurance.

She will do this by informing you that she would like Pepitos for dinner, i.e. Mexican skirt steaks sandwiches, which is one of your favorite dishes in the entire world.

She will also tell you that she honestly wasn't thinking about your vegetarian vows when she requested said dinner, and you will not be able to call her on it even though you know she is a liar and her real name is Mrs. Lying Liarpants of Dishonesty. Because she is a liar. Who lies.

But because it is Mother's Day, you will have to go through with it anyway and of course you will make what your family tells you is the most delicious skirt steak they've had in a long time, even prompting your father to say "Oh my God" when he tries it, when normally his ability to praise doesn't go beyond, "This is good." And they will continue to torture you throughout the meal, making noises and continually exclaiming how good it is, causing you to smile at them pleasantly while part of you is mentally screaming "I HATE YOU ALL", another part is steadily sobbing like a baby and the rest of you just wants to curl up into a little ball and die.

On the plus side, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover that your willpower is indeed that strong.

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I realize that talking about the Pepitos has probably piqued a few curious minds, but since the point of this blog is about being a vegetarian, I'm not going to post the recipe here yet. Someday, though, I promise.

In the meantime, I can post the recipes of the accompaniments. Pepitos are open faced sandwiches that are comprised of thick slices of bread, topped with refried beans, pico de gallo or garden salsa, guacamole, lettuce and skirt steak. My dinner omitted the skirt steak, and I just munched on the guac and salsa with chips.

Guacamole

3 ripe avocados (You can tell an avocado is ripe by pressing on it. There should be a slight give to the flesh. Be very attentive about the 'slight' part; before I knew better, I thought this meant any kind of give and would often pick up avocados that were quite squishy, only to come home and find them halfway bad already.)

1/2 c. finely chopped onion

1-2 tbsp. lime juice

1/4 c. cilantro, roughly chopped

1 tbsp. garlic, finely chopped

1/4 tsp. Mexican oregano

1/2 c. tomatoes, diced to 1/4. inch

salt and pepper to taste

Remove skins and pits from avocados. This can be done by slicing them in half around the pit, and using a spoon to remove the pit and then the flesh.

For chunky guacamole, place avocados in a bowl and using a stiff wire whisk, mash. If you're using ripe avocados they should give fairly easily, and after about a minute or so you can start whipping them a little until the flesh is fairly smooth with some chunks. If you're like me and prefer smooth guacamole, place the avocados into a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Remove to a bowl.

Place all other ingredients except tomatoes in bowl and stir until incorporated. You may have to adjust seasoning to taste, especially the lime juice and cilantro. When the flavor is right, add the tomatoes and gently fold in. Serve.

Garden Salsa (which could also be Pico de Gallo. I' m not sure.)

2 c. tomatoes, diced to 1/4 inch

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 tsp. vinegar

2 tsp. lime juice

1/2 tsp. Mexican oregano

1/4 c. cilantro, finely chopped

salt to taste

Place all ingredients in a bowl. Mix well to combine. Seasonings may have to be adjusted to taste, particularly salt, lime juice and cilantro.

Both dips go great with any Mexican food and are, of course, delicious with tortilla chips.

Until next time, my duckies!