This loaf-style Black Bean Dip is a delicious appetizer, side dish, or a first course. One key tip is to extract as much liquid as possible from the beans and tomatoes. Tomatoes have a naturally high water content. Gently press out as much liquid as possible.
Photo by Karolin Baitinger via Unsplash
Another option is to use seeded and diced red bell pepper. While bell peppers have a high concentration of water, too, it is not as much as tomatoes.
Not a fan of cilantro? Use 2 small cans of green chilis. Again, well drained.
Serving Suggestions:
Pita chips
Wonton crisps
Celery stalks
Red, yellow or orange bell pepper slices
Savory toast points (make your own, ask me how!)
Sensitive to Dairy?
Substitute Kefir feta for traditional feta cheese and Kefir yogurt for the creme fraiche!
Enjoy more Recipes, Cookbooks, Real Estate and Lifestyle Tips:
Black Bean Dip with Cilantro Pesto is made with tomato, onion, feta cheese, pine nuts and cilantro. Perfect for parties any time of year.
Ingredients
2 bunches fresh cilantro leaves, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup pine nuts
2 15-ounce cans low-sodium black beans, well drained
1 teaspoon cumin
2 roma tomatoes, seeded, diced, juice drained
1/2 cup diced red onion
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup creme fraiche
Instructions
Make cilantro pesto by pureeing 2 bunches of cilantro leaves, olive oil, garlic, and pine nuts until smooth.
Set aside.
Mash one cup of the black beans.
Add cumin to the remaining beans and mix with the mashed beans.
Line a 4x8 inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing plastic wrap to extend over the edges.
Press 1/3 of bean mixture into pan.
Spread Cilantro Pesto over the bean mixture.
Smooth 1/3 of bean mixture on top of pesto.
Evenly distribute tomato and onion on top if bean mixture.
Top with feta cheese.
Layer remaining bean mixture over feta, pressing slightly to form a loaf.
Cover with the overlapped plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes or longer.
To serve, unfold top of plastic wrap, invert Bean Dip loaf onto serving platter and remove plastic wrap.
Spoon creme fraiche over top or serve on the side.
Garnish with cilantro leaves.
Serve with crackers, celery or favorite chip.
