Appetizers for Dinner

Do you ever make appetizers for dinner?  It’s one of my favorite treats on a weekend night when we have a movie or a big game to watch.  This past Saturday night we got Sherlock Holmes 2 from Netflix and thought it would be the perfect night for apps for dinner.  We made chicken wings and a bacon black bean dip that was just out of this world.  You have to make this the next time you have a need for an appetizer!  My husband made the entire thing and said it a little laborious, but once he tasted it, he said it was totally worth it…

Spicy Black Bean and Bacon Dip
from The Boston Globe Magazine, February 6, 2011

6 slices bacon, fried and crumbled, with 1 Tbs rendered fat reserved
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tsp cumin
1 Tbs lime juice
2 Tbs chopped pickled jalapeno peppers plus 1 Tbs packing juice (we just used a regular jalapeno chopped up and omitted the juice)
1 29-oz can black beans, drained but not rinsed, 1/2 C beans reserved
1 1/2 Tbs Tomato paste
s&p
3 scallions, thinly sliced

In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat the bacon fat.  Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute; set aside off heat.

In a measuring cup, combine the lime juice, jalapeno packing juice (we omitted), and 3 Tbs hot water.  In a food processor (we used a magic bullet), puree all the beans except for the reserved 1/2 C, the onion mixture, tomato paste, 1/4 Tsp salt, and black pepper to taste, about 30 seconds; scrape down the sides of the work bowl with a flexible spatula.  With the feed tube open and the motor running, add the lime-jalapeno mixture in a slow, steady stream; process until smooth, about 1 minute, scraping if necessary.  Add the reserved beans and pulse just to combine.  Scrape the mixture into a bowl and stir in the jalapenos, the scallions, and the bacon.

Cover and let flavors develop, about 30 minutes.  Adjust the season with salt and pepper, if necessary, and serve.

Enjoy!