Warm Black Bean & Chipotle Dip

Submitted by Melissa and her Pan

"This is a great party dip that can be fully assembled up to two days ahead. Keep covered and refrigerated until ready to bake. From Fine Cooking #82, pp. 80"

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 10-12

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, more for the baking dish
• 2 medium tomatoes, cored and cut into medium dice
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained well
• 2 chipotle chiles in adobo, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
• 3 tablespoons adobo sauce
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 1⁄2 cups frozen corn kernels (thawed)
• 1 1⁄2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 1⁄2 cups monterey jack cheese, grated
• 3⁄4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• fresh ground black pepper
• tortilla chips, for serving

directions

1. Heat the oven to 425ºF. Grease a 1-1/2 quart baking dish with oil and line a baking sheet with foil. Set the tomatoes in a colander over the sink and sprinkle with 1 teaspoons of the salt.
2. Heat the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onion, sprinkle with 1 teaspoons salt, and cook, stirring, until softened and translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and chili powder and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add half of the black beans, the chipotles and adobo sauce, and 3/4 cup water and bring to a boil. Cook until the liquid reduces by about half, 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Transfer the bean mixture to a food processor, add the vinegar, and process until smooth. Let cool for a couple of minutes and then transfer to a large bowl. Add the rest of the beans, the tomatoes, corn, half of each of the cheeses, and 1/2 cup of the cilantro. Mix well and season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Transfer to the baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake on the foil-lined baking sheet (to catch drips) until the cheese melts and browns around the edges, about 15 minutes (longer if refrigerated). Sprinkle with the remaining cilantro and serve with the tortilla chips for dipping.

Reviews

[gailanng]

I loved it! DS said just ok. Think he mighta bumped his head or somethin’.

 

[highcotton]

Lots of compliments! I prepared it as written except for omitting the cilantro (the only herb my family can't tolerate) and subbing canned tomatoes since fresh were unavailable. Because the tomatoes used were the standard type rather than 'salt-free', I cut back the amount of salt added to slightly under 1-1/2 tsp. to compensate, and that worked well. One kid requested more tomatoes next time, another asked me to double the corn, and yet another voted for even more cheese. Once my crew goes into their James Beard routine, critiquing a dish and making suggestions, it's a sure sign that they loved it! Thanks so much for sharing. We'll enjoy 'tweaking' this to personal taste, but it's just wonderful as is!

 

[PanNan]

We loved this dip! The flavors and texture are outstanding. I followed the recipe exactly, and wouldn't change a thing. It was a bit time-consuming for a dip, not to mention the kitchen mess, but the recommendation that it can be made ahead is helpful. A great discovery to Pick A Chef Fall 2007.

 

[sylviaspisic]

This is amazing. I made it for a backyard party with chips to dip and it went over well. The girls at the party have been bugging me for the recipe. I skipped the adobo sauce, cilantro and used just regular cheese and it was still great! I'm definitley making this again.

 

[MamaJ]

This is a really flavorful dip and the spice blend is just right. I think it lends itself to lots of variation by using different types of beans and/or cheese. I would add more tomatoes next time and decrease the amount of cheese (just personal preference). I might also try using 1/2 refried beans and 1/2 whole beans to eliminate the food processor step. I would recommend making this ahead of time and allowing flavors to blend. My original review was for four stars, but after sitting overnight it got even better. My DH is still oohing and aahing. Thanks for posting Melissa!.