Main Dishes

Black Bean And Sweet Potato Quesadillas, Spicy Citrus Margarita, and Project Hail Mary

July 12, 2025
editor
Enjoy a delightful evening with Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadillas paired with the book 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir. Just as the flavors and warmth of the quesadillas provide a fulfilling experience, the novel offers a captivating blend of suspense and discovery. Pair this with the "Spicy Citrus Margarita," where the zesty citrus enhances the warmth of the quesadillas, creating a refreshing yet balanced taste that complements the narrative's thrilling ups and downs.
Black Bean And Sweet Potato Quesadillas

Ingredients

  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
  • Sour cream, salsa, or guacamole, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  • Roast the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the diced sweet potatoes with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized. Stir halfway through cooking to ensure even roasting.
  • Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the roasted sweet potatoes and black beans. Gently mash the mixture with a fork or potato masher, leaving some chunks for texture. Stir in the sliced green onions and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Assemble the Quesadillas: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place one tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle half of it with a portion of the shredded cheese. Add a generous spoonful of the sweet potato and black bean mixture on top of the cheese. Fold the tortilla in half, pressing down lightly with a spatula to flatten.
  • Cook the Quesadillas: Cook each quesadilla for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
  • Serve: Slice the quesadillas into wedges and garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole on the side.

Project Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary

A gripping novel about an astronaut who must save humanity, armed only with his wits and an unexpected ally.
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE MARTIAN • Soon to be a major motion picture starring Ryan Gosling, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, with a screenplay by Drew Goddard From the author of The Martian, a lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this “propulsive” (Entertainment Weekly), cinematic thriller full of suspense, humor, and fascinating science. HUGO AWARD FINALIST • ONE OF THE YEAR’S BEST BOOKS: Bill Gates, GatesNotes, New York Public Library, Parade, Newsweek, Polygon, Shelf Awareness, She Reads, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal • New York Times Readers Pick: 100 Best Books of the 21st Century “An epic story of redemption, discovery and cool speculative sci-fi.”—USA Today “If you loved The Martian, you’ll go crazy for Weir’s latest.”—The Washington Post Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish. Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company. His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species. And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone. Or does he? An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could deliver, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian—while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

Discussion Questions

  • What did you think of the central moral dilemmas faced by the protagonist?
  • How does the novel explore the theme of isolation?
  • What does the novel suggest about the nature of cooperation and friendship?
  • How did the author build suspense throughout the story?
  • How did the scientific elements enhance or detract from the story for you?
  • What role does humor play in the narrative?
  • In what ways did the protagonist evolve throughout the story?
  • How did you find the pacing of the book? Did it maintain your interest?
  • What was the most surprising twist for you in the story?
  • How do you think the story connects to current real-world scientific endeavors?
Authors: Andy Weir
ISBN: 9780593135204
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published Date: 2022-10-04

Spicy Citrus Margarita

Spicy Citrus Margarita
A refreshing twist with a hint of spice, perfect to complement the flavors of the quesadillas.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz tequila
  • 1 oz triple sec
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt for rim (optional)
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

  • Rim a glass with salt by running a lime wedge around the edge and dipping it into a plate of salt.
  • In a shaker with ice, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup, and cayenne pepper.
  • Shake well and strain into the prepared glass over ice.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge.