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Say hello to this delicious (vegan) Easy Black Bean Dip made with nutty sunflower seeds – it is the perfect treat for dipping and scooping, great if you’re planning a Mexican-style spread.
I’m one of those people who reads a cookbook cover to cover. Before I even start to cook out of a book, I like to read all of the foreword and ingredient notes. You know those little asides and variations scribbled in the margins? Sometimes I think this is where you sometimes find the best bits. I’ve just finished reading A Modern Way To Eat. Monday’s post where I outlined how you can make any grain / greens / vegetable bowl was inspired by one of the text sections in the book, and today I want to share a Mexican bean dip from another not-quite-a-full-recipe section of the book I’ve been snacking on the past few days.
Black beans have become a recent favourite of mine. I cook them into chilli, and find a way to add them into most of the Mexican food I’ve been throwing together of late. You can pick them up in the ethnic section of most supermarkets (I get mine in salted water, and I buy in bulk when they’re on special offer), but I warn you that they don’t last long out of the can; try to (like in this Black Bean Dip recipe) use an entire can the day you open them.
This dip is great for lunch (serves two), or with a couple of margaritas or Coronas on a Saturday night before digging into a big pan of Homemade Fajitas (serves 4). Depending on what sort of mood I’m in, I like to serve with toasted pieces of pitta, or with carrot sticks. You can mix up the toppings too, to add a bit more interest with each bite. Anything of a Mexican persuasion that is fresh or crunchy goes.
This really easy, Mexican-inspired vegan black bean and sunflower seed dip is the perfect healthy dip to serve with pitta and crudités.
Ingredients
Scale
1 x 400g (14 oz) Tin of Black Beans
1/2 Green Chilli, plus extra for topping
Large handful Fresh Coriander (including the stalks), plus extra for topping
Zest of 1/2 a Lime
Juice of 1 Lime
1 tbsp Maple Syrup
Generous Handful Sunflower Seeds, plus extra for topping
Good Glug of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus extra for topping
Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
In a small food processor, whizz together the black beans (drained and rinsed), green chilli (deseeded and roughly chopped), coriander, lime zest, lime juice, maple syrup, sunflower seeds, olive oil and a generous seasoning of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Blend until your desired consistency (I like it quite smooth, but still with a bit of bite).
Taste to see if you need any more salt.
You may want the dip a little looser; if so, add a little water before blitzing again.
Spoon into a serving dish, and top with fresh coriander leaves, a few more pumpkin seeds, a generous drizzle of oil and a little bit more chopped green chilli.
I'm a food writer, professional recipe developer and cookbook author living in the English Countryside. I love creating easy, accessable recipes filled with vibrant world flavours that are manageable on busy weeknights. Simple and delicious dinners, from my kitchen to yours!
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My Book
One Pan Pescatarian: 100 Delicious Dinners – Veggie, Vegan, Fish
My second cookbook contains 100 delicious dinner recipes, all of which are either vegetarian, vegan or which celebrate fish and seafood - all cooked in either one pot or one pan.*
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