August 20, 2012

Spicy Black Bean Dip

I feel the urge to write in spanglish (part spanish-part english) while writing this post because... well this dip is muy bueno (very good). If there is one thing I have learned in the kitchen, it is that although I enjoy a culinary challenge ever so often, I also appreciate when a recipe is easy and stress free. This recipe takes hardly any time, makes very little mess, and has few ingredients. As a huge plus, it is packed full of flavor, not to mention all the protein and fiber if you are looking for a healthy recipe!

Spicy Black Bean Dip via The Taste Tester
The cumin and cilantro add especially vibrant flavors to the mix. If you need a quick, crowd pleasing dip, this here is the recipe for you.

Spicy Black Bean Dip via The Taste Tester
Did I mention that this recipe come from my new favorite cookbook? If you are interested in buying Perfect One Dish Dinners by Pam Anderson you can find it in my amazon store. Just click the "Shop" tab above and the select "Cookbooks I Recommend" on the lefthand menu on that page. I think it is the first one listed!

Spicy Black Bean Dip

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, packed
2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup store bought salsa
1 tsp cumin
1/4 red onion, diced
Salt*
hot sauce to taste

Pulse cilantro in food processor until coarsely chopped. Add black beans, salsa, and cumin. Pulse until coarsely chopped. Do not process into a paste. Stir in chopped onion. Add salt to taste and hot sauce if desired. Serve with tortilla chips or pita chips.

Recipe Source: Perfect One-Dish Dinners by Pam Anderson

get printable recipe here.

*A note about when a recipe says to "salt to taste". As human beings I think we can sometimes be afraid of salt. Now I realize that there are medical conditions in which too much salt (or any at all) is bad, and I definitely think we should all try to eat healthier. However, there is a truth about salt that, if understood, could make all of the food we cook ten times tastier.

Namely that: salt is a flavor enhancer. That's right, an enhancer. If you put too little salt in something you may find that the flavors are muted or bland. If you put too much salt in something it tastes... well, salty. But if you find the perfect amount of salt for a recipe (in other words "salted to taste") it heightens all of  the flavors in the dish and creates the perfect symphony of taste.

So don't over do it, and don't under estimate how much you need either. Just recognize that salt has an important role in cooking. It is not just about sodium.



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