A Friday Night Under the Stars

The idea of spending a night sleeping under the stars sounds so romantic. In many ways it is. Imagine looking up into the vastness of the night sky filled with shimmering points of light and realizing how small we truly are compared to the universe.

And yet God took the time to create each and every one of us. He chose to do so from the beginning of time, before the world began. He did so despite all that He knew. He did so because of all that He knew.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations”
Jeremiah 1:5

While Jeremiah did go on to prophesize, the same scripture can be said of each and every one of us. He has a reason. None of us came into this world simply to take up space, although some appear to do that quite well. Do not let the vastness of the night sky intimidate you. For the Lord knows you, and He loves you and He waits for you. That’s how special every life is, how precious we all are each in our own way.

Since this is a Friday Night under the stars, the Old School Catholic in me needed to come up with yet another way to Honor Friday. This supper was oh so simple, even if I do say so myself. Have a blessed and beautiful day!

Refried Chili Bean Pie
3/4 Yellow Onion
1 cup Spicy Salsa
1 (16 oz) can Spicy Refried Beans
1 (16 oz) can Black Beans in a Chili Sauce
3 (10-inch) Flour Tortillas
2 cups Pepper Jack Cheese
Peppers for a garnish
Avocado for a garnish

Heat oven to 375-degrees. Spray a 9-inch Deep Dish Pie Pan with cooking spray.

Peel and finely dice onion, set aside. Place salsa over a fine mesh strainer, strain out as much watery liquid as possible. Set aside.

In a saucepan warm refried beans with onions over medium heat for about 6 minutes to make beans that are more spreadable. Warm black beans in another pan or in the microwave. Set aside.

Place one tortilla in the bottom of the prepared pie pan. Spread about 1/3-cup of the refried bean mixture over the tortilla. Spread a third of the black beans over the refried beans, topped with a few tablespoons of salsa and then a layer of cheese.

Repeat layering of tortilla, beans, chili, salsa and cheese two more times. In the final layer, use more salsa and cheese then in the previous layers.

Bake the bean pie in the heated oven until the cheese is melted and everything is warmed through, about 20 minutes.

Slice some hot peppers, peel avocado, then slice. Remove the pie from the oven. Garnish with pepper and avocado slices. Cut Refried Chili Bean Pie into wedges, served and enjoy.

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I remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I remember Your wonders of old.
And I meditate on Your works;
Your exploits I ponder.