Spicy Black Bean Avocado Dip
| July 16, 2010 | Posted by Lauren under Dinner, HOTR Eats |
Someday, when I am old(er) and more successful, I will have central air conditioning. And all summer long I will bask in the comfort of my perfectly temperature-controlled home, wearing sweaters if I want to, and cooking whatever my heart desires. But until that day, I will have to make do with my one little window unit, hiding out in my bedroom and relying on meals that don’t require the use of an oven.
Which means that in the summer, dinner mostly consists of some sort of salad. And a lot of meals that rely on just my food processor and/or the stove top.
The inspiration for this particular meal actually came out of desperation. EC was coming over for dinner, and since I was leaving for vacation in a couple of days, the cabinets were pretty bare. Combine that with an unbearably hot kitchen, and I was about ready to pour us both a bowl of cereal and call it dinner.
Luckily for EC, I scrounged around in my cabinet and found a lone can of black beans. Where there are beans, there are possibilities. And where there are beans + half an avocado that’s on the verge of going bad, there’s heaven.
Spicy Black Bean & Avocado Dip
This dip is amazingly simple to make and unbelievably delicious. Unfortunately, I’m awful about measuring (I just hate doing it and avoid it whenever possible). So I can only tell you my dump-and-pour method, instead of a fail-proof recipe. But it was too delicious a combination not to share, and spices are better when added to taste, anyway.
In a food processor, combine:
- 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 a ripe avocado
- 1 clove of garlic
- A generous sprinkling of lemon juice
- Spices to taste (salt, crushed red pepper, paprika, chili powder, & cumin)
All you’ve got to do is dump the ingredients in and process until smooth. Hardly worthy of a recipe, really. You might have to put in a teeny bit of effort to scrape the sides down, but it really doesn’t get any easier than this.
I can imagine that this would be good with some of the traditional guacamole ingredients added in – fresh cilantro, tomatoes, etc. If one were to actually have those ingredients in one’s house, that is. But as is, it’s a simple, delicious mix that’s perfect for dipping…or for spreading on Spicy Seitan Wraps.
Spicy Seitan Wraps
(or as I like to call it “Heavenly Seitan”)
Seitan (pronounced “SAY-tan”) is a vegetarian protein that’s made from wheat gluten (instead of soy, which is used for tempeh and tofu). It’s texture is completely different than tempeh or tofu, and it’s probably the most “meat like” of the alternatives. If you’ve never had it, I can tell you that bacon-loving EC says it’s his favorite non-meat protein that I cook with – especially when it’s lathered with BBQ sauce. It’s equally good sautéed in a little EVOO mixed with the same spices as above (salt, crushed red pepper, paprika, and cumin). You just put the pieces in a frying pan and cook until brown, flipping occasionally.
The wraps I ended up making for dinner started out with a thick layer of Spicy Black Bean Dip on a tortilla, a layer of seitan, some freshly grated cheddar cheese, and the only green I had in the house: kale, which I massaged with a tsp of EVOO (to make it wilt and add flavor).
Quickly snapped in the fading sunlight
A little random, but super simple, delicious, and more satisfying than a bowl of cereal. 
That actually looks really good!! I’ve never heard of seitan, where would I find it in the grocery store? And what does it taste like? It looks really tasty!! I wish Brett was as good about trying vegetarian meat substitutes as EC is!!
It’s usually by the produce — in with the tofu, etc. But I often have a hard time finding it at regular grocery stores and end up getting it at Whole Foods. Will you have one by you at your new place?
It doesn’t have much of a taste on it’s own and does a really good job of taking on whatever you use as flavoring. Its texture is pretty similar to meat when it’s cooked, so maybe Brett will try it!! I’m telling you, if you cook it and then slather it with BBQ sauce, it tastes really good!
I’m with ya- ever since the start of summer, I’ve been eating mostly salads & simple meals. No complaints
The dip & seitan wraps are really creative! Oh, and they look delishhh
Danielle (Runs on Green)´s last post ..Quakin’
That dip sounds fabulous – so simple yet delicious!! As for the seitan…I lov that stuff – my 2nd favourite lump of protein,after tempeh
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs´s last post ..Uganda – at last!
That dip looks wonderful! I would make it without the chili powder though.. I’m a bit of a wimp! And I wish cereal was more satisfying haha but your wrap looks great
Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries´s last post ..if heaven were made of cookies
I’m actually a bit of a wimp too, so when I say something is “spicy” you should take it with a grain of salt. It did have a bit of a kick to it, but I didn’t use a ton of chili powder, so it wasn’t overwhelming.
yum this has all the components I love dearly!
claire´s last post ..getting through it
That is my method of cooking too! It makes writing recipes a pain. But that looks really good and I can’t wait to try Seitan. Which part of the grocery store is it usually in? The tempeh and tofu is usually in the produce section of the place I normally shop, but I haven’t seen seitan there before.
zenlizzie´s last post ..Why I love reading recipe reviews but hate writing recipes
This dip looks delicious! Black beans are always in my cabinet and I love anything with a little kick to it. I’ll have to give this a try. I swear this is the hottest summer I’ve experienced in years…no oven required, I’m in!
Becky´s last post ..The Comforts of Home
I am hanging out in my bedroom right now for the same reason!
The summer heat without central air can make for some creative alternatives. I have not had Seitan in so long, but this looks fantastic.
Bekah @ runtrackmind´s last post ..Christmas In July
I’m with you – “dump and pour” > “measuring to a T”!
Btw, that dip does sound deeeeeeeeelicious.
omg i made something like this awhile back that i would dip with a gluten-free tortialla! it was so good!! i would sometimes blend spinach in there too. VERY YUMMY!
I can’t believe you live without central air. Poor thing!
I want to try seitan so badly. I’m not a fan of soy meat alternatives so I’m really interested to try it. And I’d like to cook it and see if my husband can tell it’s not meat, ha. Where do you buy it?
Jen´s last post ..Getting Through the Long Run
Sometimes, the best meals come out of desperation.
I speak from experience.
Where there are beans, there are possibilities; where there is desperation, there is inspiration.
xo Aletheia
aletheia´s last post ..This is My Blog
This is really clever, Lauren! With the hot weather nowadays, I’ve been looking for more ways to not use our oven (so I guess the lasagna is out hehe), and this dish looks delicious and cool. Thanks for the seitan background! I’ve only ever tried it in salad bars, and it’s delicious. Certainly much tastier and more nutritious than a bowl of cereal
Have a great day, Lauren!
Looks good! Thanks for the idea and the info about seitan – never heard of it.
That dip looks delicious!! I have sucha craving for avacado today.
I am going to have to try that dip! We have only experimented with seitan a little bit (we made it from scratch at home once).
Oh, thanks for reminding me about seitan – I haven’t had it in so long! It’s such a great sandwich/wrap filler. Yum!
Lizz @ Leading the Good Life´s last post ..Birthday Celebrations
Dear Trader Joes, Lauren has just shown me how to make homemade spicy black bean avocado dip. I will no longer be needing your services.
You don’t need many ingredients!The wraps to top it off, wow what a great menu item.
Nichole´s last post ..Tri-ing is Better
Wow this looks awesome!!! I need to bookmark this recipe!! Remember when you blogged about food?!~?!