It happened out of no where. Well, maybe not completely out of no where. I have my suspicions about what made the switch in my brain (and stomach) change. One day I was eating meat. The next day, I was boasting, “I am a vegetarian.”

WHAT?! My boyfriend, Phil, who is a complete carnivore was now being subjected to black bean burgers, veggie soups and hummus. He was less than pleased and didn’t hide it with his constant hints at how each meal should include “meat, meat, meat.”

But then three months into my pseudo-vegetarian lifestyle, we discovered the perfect comprise. In the midst of traveling through Peru and Central America, the magical, food practically landed in our laps. The….BALEADA!

Baleadas are one of Honduras’ most popular foods. A baleada is a wheat tortilla, folded in half, filled with mashed beans. This is the baleada in its most simple form. You can get a baleada any way you like. Hence why it works for a meal for both Phil and I.

The baleada is my Friday Favorite of the week and here is why:

  • It is a vegetarian friendly option or can be made for the meat-loving individual.
  • Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. It works for them all. Oh ya, baby!
  • I can make these. Yes. The person who once set a crock-pot up in smoke, leaving only charred pieces of pork, crisp in the bottom of the dish, can make a deliciosa baleada.
  • You can get creative with these things. Different types of beans. Eggs. Avocado. No Avocado. Slaw. Hot Sauce. Cheese. Veggies. Whatever you can dream up. I love the options (which pretty much means I will and can eat these nearly every day for months until I am so sick of them I won’t want to even hear the word – baleada.)
  • They make a great option for Lent Fridays. No pescado para mí hoy.

Happy Friday! I hope you will try my new favorite food soon. :)