There was once a time in my life when I sat through long, cold football games pretending to know what the hell was going on. After uprooting my life in New Brunswick and moving to Ontario with my mom, I was the new girl at a new high school where I met the man I would someday marry. But first, I would avoid him like the plague.
“He’s cute.” I gushed to a new friend while pointing to this tall, confident guy walking out of class.
“Tell anyone and I’ll kill you.” I added.
The next day, the entire school heard about the new girl’s crush on Eric.
I did what any mortified girl would do and avoided all eye contact while hiding down random staircases whenever he was within 100 feet of me. Or I would suddenly, urgently, need to go to the washroom. Libraries also made good hiding spots. I was willing to keep this up for the entire year if I had to. I only had a year until I graduated anyways.
That morning, Eric was in the locker room getting ready for football practice when his teammates told him about my rumoured crush. He didn’t believe them. “Why would she go after someone like me?” he asked. “You guys are messing with me.”
When my girlfriend confirmed to him it was true, Eric decided to mortify me even more by approaching me during student photos later that afternoon. I was stuck in a line up, going nowhere fast. Shoot me, he’s coming over!
“Hey Angela…” he said with a quivering smile.
My face turned the shade of a beet…no, make that a fire truck.
“Hey,” I replied casually.
“I’m Eric”
Awkward shaking of hands. Very awkward.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Waiting to get your photo taken…?”
“Yup…”
“You…?”
“Same…”
“Cool…”
“Cool.”
……….
……….
“Hey, are you going to the party on Friday night? I think someone mentioned you are going with the girls…” he asked
“I think so. It should be fun to meet some people. Are you…?”
“Yup, I’ll be there. Hopefully we can talk at the party…”
“Ok, see you then…”
“Thanks…I mean, bye…”
Whew he’s finally gone, I thought to myself.
Then it was time for my photo op.
Does my face look a bit flushed to you in this photo?
That’s what I thought. Thanks for flustering me Eric.
We played this awkward cat and mouse charade for a couple months. I showed up to his football games half watching, half ignoring him, as he tried to show off for me like guys often do. I was really there to examine his butt in spandex and talk with friends, though. He showed up at my locker every morning and waited for me after class. Sometimes he even drove me to Subway for lunch.
Two months later, we had our official first date on October 27, 2001. Football season also came to a close soon enough, and later, my confession that I had zero interest in football. I was a hockey girl through and through. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to mind. He does, however, refuse to give away his stinky football jersey hanging up in our closet. I decided to let him win that battle.
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Black Bean Chili Dip
Yield
2.5 cups
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Reminiscent of a hot bowl of black bean chili, this chunky dip is great to pair alongside your favorite corn chips or crackers. I love Food Should Taste Good blue corn chips or sweet potato chips. To garnish, add some chopped green onion, avocado, cilantro, or your favorite cheeze.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups chopped sweet onion
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
- 1.5 cups cooked black beans, rinsed and drained
- 3/4 cup mild salsa
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 tsp chili powder (or to taste)
- 1 tsp ground cumin (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
- for garnish: chopped avocado, cilantro, cheeze, or green onion
Directions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add a bit of oil and sauté the chopped onion and garlic for about 5-7 minutes. Meanwhile, remove seeds from jalapeno and chop finely (I use gloves so the seeds don’t sting my fingers). Add in the chopped jalapeno and sauté for another few minutes.
- Add in the drained and rinsed black beans, salsa, and corn. Stir well and cook for a few minutes. Now add the chili powder, cumin, and salt all to taste. Stir in the nutritional yeast if using. Cook on low until heated through and serve warm with corn chips. Garnish with green onion, chopped avocado, or fresh cilantro.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
I love easy appetizers like this one. I was done in 20 minutes and didn’t have to dirty a bunch of dishes or food processor. Touch down!
I’m also working on some crispy cornbread crackers…but they need some work.
If you need me, I’ll be hogging the black bean chili dip, wrapped in a warm blanket reading my book.
Just be sure to let me know when the halftime show begins. Then I’m all over it.
You can also email me the best Super Bowl commercials on Monday. I’ll watch those too.
What a great story, and I think you definitely have that “starstruck” look in your photo :-) Your dip looks so delicious and I love that it comes together so simply with ingredients I usually have on hand, I can’t wait to try it. The Food Should Taste Good blue corn chips are also my favorite!
Awww, I love your love story, especially because we all know the happy ending! :) Thank you for sharing that with us, it put a smile on my face. :)
Whoa, that’s too many smilies in one short post LOL
haha!
Oh yum! This dip looks amazing! Love all the ingredients, I’ll have to give this one a try!
ANGE! I remember this oh so well, I was actually telling this story to my curling team last week after I showed them your blog!! C
haha that’s hilarious Leigh!! I thought you might comment. :) Good times!!
Thanks for sharing that sweet story. I hope you figure out the crispy cornbread crackers soon, I love cornbread & I love crispy! Curious, what book are you reading now?
Angela, the way you write captures my attention ALWAYS! I cannot stop smiling when I read what you write! thank you for sharing such a sweet, true story!
What a cute story! I wish I had a high school experience like that! I’ll take the dip, though. Looks amazing! :-)
Yum!! I love how this is fat free!! I can imagine sitting on a couch, a good book (like yourself) shoveling chili filled chip after chili filled chip into my mouth and feeling good about it. Made with all whole foods and fat free! Double score.
That story made me feel flush reading it. I think we can all relate! Now, we need to see a picture of Eric from high school!! ;)
I am going to make that dip, it looks so good!!! Thanks!
Im on the hunt for it….I think he’s hiding it?
Oh my god this is the most adorable post everrrrr. And I love your class photo! You had some seriously stylin’ hair back then, 9th grade me is jealous. Oh, right, and the bean dip looks amazing too :)
Aw looooove the story of you and Eric. :) The dip looks really good, especially those big chunks of avocado on top.
that is one of the cutest stories I’ve ever heard :D
Thanks for sharing your story – it is so sweet!! You 2 are so cute!! And the chili dip looks delicious too! Thank you!
I just wanted to say that your website is the one I come to every month to look for recipes for the vegan potluck I go to. Im DROOOOOOOLING over your chocolate chip cookies right now, the ones stuffed with cookie dough and frosting- I think Im going to make them this weekend! And I just saw your cinnamon roll bar for xmas morning you created, such a cute idea! And again, drool worthy!
Thank you! Enjoy those cookies…they are pretty much my dream cookie.
Love the story! Reminds me of my first ackward meetings with my now fiance of 10 years (also met in high school) :)
That dip looks great!
Love the story. Mine with my hubby is kinda similar – having a friend sweat not to tell him I liked him but he told and it all turned out ok, he asked me out and we are obviously married now :) Fun memories right.
Love the recipe and can’t wait to try it!
thank goodness for those friends I guess eh? :)
Bet these would be great with your chia crackers :)
It’s so awesome that you met your husband in high school. I remember with my high school boyfriend – we all thought it would end up that way at the time but it never did, so it’s so nice to hear of someone who actually did marry their high school sweetheart! You sure look happy in that photo.
I am also not an American football fan – but I’ll take the dip!
This dip is surely going to be served during our super bowl viewing! I love it. Just chopped me a bunch of cilantro and I am in heaven.
I love the story. I wanted more. I felt like I was reading Twilight again, although, no vampires right? I always find it curious that I could be vegan and obsessed with vampire books, shows and movies. Is that twisted???
No shame in enjoying some vampire action! haha. I’m glad you enjoyed the story Maria.
Cute Story!! Love your blog. Thanks!!!!