Molletones refried with Tomorrow in Vegas and Boat

If you've been planning a trip to Italy but haven't yet gotten the funds together, may I suggest that you forgo that plan and travel instead to the Yucatan Penninsula in Mexico. Everywhere we went (which is Cancun, Merida and Tulum) Italians and Italian fusion restaurants weren't difficult to spot (thank god for that because otherwise J-Fur might not have had anything to eat). These Molletones were inspired by a dish I had at Cafe Peon Contreras, in Merida, which was one of the aforementioned Italian fusion places.

Molletones
(printable version)

-1 1/2 cups dried pinto beans
-water
-1/2 onion, diced
-olive oil
-salt
-1 baguette, sliced lengthwise
-your favorite Mexican cheese
-salsa (optional)

1. Sift through the beans picking out the stones (unless you like to eat that stuff). Place into a big pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Turn the heat down slightly and cook for 2 hours adding more water if necessary. When the beans are soft, drain, reserving 1/4 a cup of the cooking juice. Set aside.

2. In a skillet, heat a little bit of olive oil (I used about a teaspoon). Saute the onion in the oil until translucent.

3. Pour the beans, onion and reserved liquid back into the big pot. Using a hand masher and spoon mash/stir the beans until they resemble refried beans. Season with salt if necessary.

4. Bake the baguette slices at 210 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread a layer of beans over each slice. Top with Mexican cheese.

5. Increase the oven heat to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake until the cheese is melted (3-5 minutes). Top with salsa. Annihilate with your incisors.

Electronic indie echo popper and fellow vegetarian Mookie from Tomorrow in Vegas accompanied the molletones to my mouth. His song "Goodbye Ms. California" reminds me, in title and theme only, to a Mustard Plug track about dating Miss Michigan. Despite all the problems taking place in the song, Mookie sings it with such cheer that you can't help but root for him next time Ms. California comes around. Check out his other stuff on soundcloud. Goodbye Ms. California by Tomorrow In Vegas

For something completely different, one only needs to head slightly North to the rain and fuzz of Seattle. Here is where BOAT celebrated the release of their new album, Dress Like your Idols. While the cover art is brilliant (an homage to Seattle past), what keeps me coming back is the song writing. Take "Forever in Armitron" the fifth track. With its up and down buzz heavy feel and desire to know why, one can easily find themselves singing along for hours on end. Buy the full length from Magic Marker Records. Forever in Armitron by BOAT