Healthy & Delicious: Black Bean Dip
Editor's note: On Mondays, Kristen Swensson of Cheap, Healthy, Good swings by these parts to share healthy and delicious recipes with us. Take it away, Kristen!
[Photograph: Kristen Swensson]
Back in the olden days of yore, when I began eating a bit healthier, hummus became a major part of my meal plans. I spread it on pita. I ate it with vegetables. I sculpted it into the likeness of Alec Baldwin. Tasty and inexpensive, it provided valuable fiber and protein, as well as a substantial stand-in for richer, dairy-filled dips.
However, I've been experimenting with other legumes lately. It's not that hummus has fallen out of favor. It's just a big, bean-filled world out there, and I aim to actualize its full dip potential.
This Black Bean Dip comes from RecipeZaar, which is a fairly reliable resource, provided you stick to dishes rated at least four-and-a-half stars. While almost entirely fat-free, the dip is rich and hearty, with a nice kick. Fresh scallions and lime juice keep it lively, even though it's made largely of pantry ingredients.
Admittedly, it's not the most attractive dip in the world; and for what could be the first time, that has nothing to do with my ability to take a decent food photo. But appearance doesn't necessarily coincide with flavor, right? I mean, I think we can all agree that baba ghanoush looks like baby puke, and squid ink pasta is essentially a Tim Burton set decoration.
Despite the aesthetics, it remains pretty dang delicious. Serve some before a Mexican feast or as part of your office lunch. You'll be sated/happy either way, and it might make you forget about hummus. (At least for a little while, anyway.)
Black Bean Dip
Makes about 2 cups dip.
Adapted from RecipeZaar.
Ingredients
- 2 cups canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 teaspoons tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 scallions, green parts chopped
- 2 tablespoons canned green chilies, chopped
Procedures
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1
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2
Add scallions and green chilies to dip. Stir thoroughly to combine. Top with extra scallions and a few lime wedges. Serve with pita chips or vegetables.
16 comments:
Nice recipe. Basically, you can make 'hummus' anything. Edamame hummus, white bean hummus, pumpkin hummus...just be creative. :)
gargupie at 9:06AM on 04/26/10
" I sculpted it into the likeness of Alec Baldwin". You wouldn't have a photo of said likeness do you? ;)
jerseygirlinSC at 9:22AM on 04/26/10
Doesnt look like black beans in the picture.. looks more like Pinto.
plazmaorb at 9:47AM on 04/26/10
Yeah exactly hahaha, definitely NOT BLACK BEAN that is pinto someone is failing?
Kacid at 11:31AM on 04/26/10
Those are 100%, absolutely, positively black beans. I swear on Alec Baldwin. The insides are lighter than the outsides.
Kristen Swensson at 11:44AM on 04/26/10
Sounds tasty! I love the addition of tomato paste - I never would have thought of that, but I bet it gives it that little something extra.
jujyfruit at 11:55AM on 04/26/10
Ive never had a black bean that was light brown in the middle... granted its not black on the inside like the outside, but its usually dark brown.... unless the lighting on this was over saturated and bled out the color in the picture.
plazmaorb at 12:09PM on 04/26/10
I make a black bean spread for tostadas (black beans, sour cream, salsa, green onion blended together---simple and tasty) and that is the exact same color that mine looks like. Black beans blended like that DO NOT look black. They look brown. This picture is right on!
chickky311 at 12:31PM on 04/26/10
Black beans are grayish on the inside. The color looks right considering the tomato paste.
Saria at 1:30PM on 04/26/10
There's something about pureed black beans that just make them so visually unappealing. Tasty? sure; Easy on the eyes? No.
Burger365 at 1:41PM on 04/26/10
Damn, I thought I just invented this dip the other day! I should have known there are no new ideas.... Though my version doesn't have tomato paste, and has roasted poblanos instead of green chilies...
boxofbirds at 7:21PM on 04/26/10
Colour looks right to me. Funny that that has become the prime focus of the comments. Sounds tasty.
lexophile at 8:29PM on 04/26/10
How long will this keep in the fridge? I'm just trying to get a feel for how much to make since it's just little old me cooking for one. This sounds like something I'd enjoy but I don't want to have to throw half away.
Drolefille at 10:01PM on 04/26/10
@Drolefile: Maybe a week? The two of us polished it off in about two days.
Kristen Swensson at 11:10PM on 04/26/10
@drolefille, this would probably freeze well. I freeze refried beans all the time and this is similar.
dbcurrie at 12:12AM on 04/27/10
Someone out there has to have the black bean dip that Gloria's (locations throughout Dallas) serves free with chips. Please post!
TurnersinFrisco at 9:57PM on 04/27/10