Tag Archives: Black Bean

Black Bean Chili with Acorn Squash and Toasted Pepitas

Chili, Food, Game Day Recipes, Main Dishes, Recipes, , , , ,

Hope y’all had an awesome Halloween! We sure did! We had some friends over for a light dinner. I made this Pumpkin Soup and this Pomegranate Cashew Arugula Salad with Balsamic Dressing and homemade Mac and Cheese. With our bellies full we were ready to hit the neighborhood for some serious trick or treating! The kids ended up lots of treats and the parents enjoyed some wine and good conversation. It was a great night!

Black Bean Chili with Acorn Squash and Toasted Pepitas

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Black Bean Chicken Enchilada Cups

Food, Game Day Recipes, Mexican, Recipes, Sides, Snacks & Appetizers, , , , , ,

During the holidays we have had quite a few parties to attend. Yay! I love parties! I usually try to bring something a little different. Since I have a food blog I feel it is expected of me to bring something amazing. No pressure!

A few weeks ago I made Buffalo Chicken Cups for my neighborhood party and they where deeeelish! So for the next shin dig I wanted to switch it up a bit. I came up with a black bean and chicken enchilada cups. Who wouldn’t love an enchilada in a cup?

Black Bean Chicken Enchilada Cups

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Black Bean Mango Quinoa Salad

Food, Game Day Recipes, Recipes, Salads, Sides, Vegetarian, , , , , ,

Happy Cinco de Mayo! With warmer weather approaching I love to add a fresh, easy salad to our meals. This quinoa salad makes a perfect side to just about anything you throw on the grill. It’s also a great dish to take to a picnic. Make it the night before and the flavors combine perfectly.

And for the best part, my 5 year old daughter gave it two thumbs up.

Black Bean Mango Quinoa Salad

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Quinoa Black Bean Quesadillas

Food, Main Dishes, Mexican, Recipes, Snacks & Appetizers, Vegetarian, , , , , , , ,

I totally made this recipe by accident and I’m so glad I did! I was originally planning on making tacos with this recipe but I couldn’t get the tortillas to cooperate for the photos. Hmmm, what to do? Then it struck me… Quesadillas!

quinoa black bean quesadilla

It was Sunday afternoon and we had a day full of projects, so this made the perfect quick and healthy lunch. My 5 year old loved them and ended up eating more of these than I did.

quinoa black bean quesadilla

tips&tricks

Super busy during the week? Make the quinoa mixture ahead of time and then assemble the quesadillas for a quick week night dinner. The mixture also works with tacos or a burrito if you prefer.

quinoa black bean quesadilla

Ingredients

  • ½ cup quinoa, cooked
  • ¼ cup onion, diced
  • ½ jalapeno pepper, diced or more for added heat
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • ½  teaspoon chili powder Package of whole wheat flour tortillas
  • Fresh cilantro, Greek yogurt, sliced avocado, salsa, shredded cheese, or any of your favorite toppings!

Directions

  1. Cook quinoa according to package directions.  
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet. Sauté onion and jalapeno pepper for 3 minutes.  
  3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.  Add cooked quinoa, black beans, diced tomatoes, and chili powder to the sautéed veggies. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Set aside  
  4. Heat ½ tablespoon of oil in another skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium high heat.  
  5. Place tortilla in the skillet and spread about a ¼ cup of the quinoa mixture over the tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese, optional, and top with another tortilla.   Cook for about 5 minutes, or until brown, and flip.
  6. Cook for a few more minutes, until that side is brown.  
  7. Cut into pieces and serve with your favorite quesadilla toppings. 

Enjoy!

Black Bean Brownie Bites

Desserts, Food, Recipes, Vegetarian, , , , , , , ,

I have heard of making black bean brownies, but never actually tried them until my friend made these delicious little bites for a snack at the beach last summer.  Why didn’t I try this sooner?  Yummy!  They are super easy and no one will know there is black beans in them. You have to give them a try!

Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients

  • 1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • About 1/3 cup of water, to moisten black beans
  • 1 package of your favorite brownie mix (I try to buy organic or Trader Joe’s to avoid the additive junk in regular brownie mix)


Directions

  1. In a food processor or blender,  puree black beans and add water to moisten beans. Make sure beans are completely smooth. They actually turn a purple color.
  2. Add brownie mix to a large bowl and pour in pureed beans. Mix until a batter is formed.
  3. Spray muffin tin or pan with cooking spray. I make them in a mini muffin tin for portion control, but can easily be made in a pan.
  4. Bake according to brownie box directions. In a mini muffin pan I baked at 350 for about 18-20 minutes.
  5. Serve with a side of fresh berries.

Nutrition Facts

Enjoy!

Black Bean Salsa

Food, Game Day Recipes, Recipes, Sides, Snacks & Appetizers, Vegetarian, , , , , , , , ,

Another healthy alternative for any event.  Black bean salsa is a great, low calorie finger food to snack on and if you’re lucky enough to have any left over, it also makes a great topping for fish.

Black Bean Salsa

Ingredients

  • Can of black beans rinsed and drained
  • Chopped red pepper
  • One small jalapeno diced
  • One small red onion diced
  • Shoe peg corn
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Palm full of cumin
  • Balsamic dressing

Vegetarian Black Bean Enchiladas

Food, Main Dishes, Recipes, Vegetarian, , , , , ,

Healthy family meals don’t need to be expensive. This dinner feeds six people and cost me about $14.00 to make.  It can also be prepared ahead of time and heated up in a few minutes. You could also add rotisserie chicken, ground turkey, or beef for meat eaters, but you really don’t even miss the meat. This is also made with a simple, delicious, homemade enchilada sauce.

Black Bean Enchiladas

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons oil or  butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 5 teaspoons red chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1  6 ounce can of tomato paste
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • salt and pepper to taste


Sauce directions

  1. Heat oil or butter in a sauce pan.
  2. Add flour to pan to make roux.
  3. Add spices and tomato paste. Stir until well blended into roux.
  4. Add water gradually, stirring constantly.
  5. Heat until boiling.
  6. Continue simmering and stirring until desired thickened. About 4 minutes.

This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.


Ingredients

  • 1 package whole wheat or corn tortillas
  • 2 cans black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 handful cilantro chopped
  • 1  onion diced
  • one large red or green pepper, diced
  • 1 small can green chilies or fresh diced  jalapenos (or all of these!)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese (or whatever kind you like) (divided)
  • 1/2 lime (juice and zest)
  • 1 Tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
  2. In a large pan saute onions, peppers, and garlic. Pour into a large bowl and add the black beans. Add about half of the cilantro, half the shredded cheese, sour cream or yogurt, then the lime and spices. Mix until coated.
  3. Pour about a 1/2
  4. cup of enchilada sauce on the bottom of an ungreased baking dish. Fill each tortilla with the black bean mixed and roll so seam side is facing down in dish. Repeat until the dish is filled. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the filled tortillas. Top with cheese and bake uncovered for about 25 minutes until cheese is nice and bubbly.
  5. Garnish with cilantro and top with favorite toppings.

Enjoy!