Cinco de Mayo on the Run

I was missing the fabulous Cinco de Mayo celebrations that took place on my street growing up, and all of the delightful and delectable Mexican fare... and so I decided to make my own this year.   I didn't have time to go to the store, so I searched my pantry and then for some recipes that coincided with my on-hand supplies... and this is what I came with.

Black beans and tacos...per Our Best Bites.  I love love love black beans and I've been on the lookout for a good recipe for years.  Years, I tell you.  And I finally found one.  The beans are easy and super tasty...two things that are ultra high on my food priority list.  As for the tacos, the recipe calls for a blend of spices, garlic and onions instead of pre-made taco seasoning, which turned out quite lovely.  And I used ground turkey in place of the ground beef (because I like it and that's what was in my freezer).  Also, frying your own taco shells just makes any taco better.  Period.

But.  Our little Mexican feast was by no means a peaceful, sit-down meal.  The two oldest had piano lessons that lasted until 5pm.  We had a band concert for Miss B who had to get gussied up and be to the school early to practice.  So I scurried and hurried and fried, stirred and chopped and then threw food on plates, tried to take a few snaps (and make it look pretty), shoved food in my own mouth, put shoes on the kids, put the perishables away, put a cake in the oven for Tres Leche (dessert) with strict instructions for the hubby who was staying home with a sick Q, grabbed gum, helped Miss B with final touches, and then ran to the concert.  So, it wasn't the ideal situation...but it happened, which was (for the most part) all I cared about.

And...I have leftovers for lunch.  I do love leftovers.