Spicy black bean dip

Spicy Black bean dip

-1.5 cups black bean soaked over night (cook according to the directions on package) or 2 cans of     black beans boiled for 10 minutes
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1 teaspoon cumin
-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
-salt and pepper
-2 onions
-2 scallions
-2 cloves of garlic
-1/3 cup of red wine
-1 tablespoon tamari (soya sauce)
-2 tablespoon olive oil
-1 cup of water or beef/veggie broth
-juice of 1 lime

-cook black beans (1-2 hours depending on if soaked overnight).  In a frying pan add the spices on medium heat.  Allow the spices to heat up and it enhances the flavour, cook for about 5 minutes.  Spices should be hot and a little steam rising.  Place in a bowl to cool.  Add olive oil to frying pan and add the onions, scallions, garlic and allow them to cook until soft, add the red wine and tamari and allow them to further cook, about 10 minutes on low heat to have fluid to reduce.  Add the beans, spices, water/broth and the juice of the lime.  Allow to simmer together for about 20 minutes.  Add salt and pepper.  Blend or mash and serve.  You can top with salsa, avocados, cheese, sour cream.  Serve with corn chips, pitas or veggies.

(not the best picture, but the dip is tasty)

Black Bean Soup

It has been a rainy few days here in Toronto, hurricane sandy has rolled through here bringing rain and cold weather.  Perfect for soup.

Black bean Soup

-2 large onions chopped
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-1 can of diced tomatoes
-1 cup white wine
-4 cups of chicken broth
-1 sweet potato diced
-1 potato diced
-1 can black beans
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1 pinch of chili flakes
-1/2 teaspoon pepper
-dash of salt
-dash of cumin
-1/2 teaspoon oregano
-1/2 teaspoon thyme
-fresh lime and cilantro before you eat and cheddar cheese grated

In a sauce pan on medium heat add the oil and start to cook the onions, one the onions are cooked, add the wine, tomatoes, chicken broth, potato, sweet potatoes, chili powder, black beans (washed well) and the spices.  Allow it to simmer on medium low heat for about 40 minutes and then as you serve add grated cheese, squeeze in lime and add cilantro.