How to handle black beans

 

I love it when a whim turns into something great. I had a few cans of black beans one winter day and felt like making the usual black beans and rice was just not enough. 

Nope. Not on this particular day. 

What we needed around here was some soup. Steamy, smokey and flavor packed.

See the recipe below.

Bre-vana, also known as Breakfast Nirvana

I love mornings.

Each one is a new beginning. A fresh start. Another chance to live.

And since breakfast is the first meal of the day, it too, has a special place in my heart.

I savor days when I have enough time and the right ingredients to make a breakfast dish that is thoroughly satisfying.

I'd been craving Huevos Rancheros for a few days.  This meal, although big and messy, brought on a state of utter bliss. I'm calling it Bre-vana, breakfast + nirvana. 

Huevos rancheros are "rancher's eggs" from the traditional breakfast dish served on Mexican farms. They're composed of fried eggs resting atop tortillas, topped with salsa and often served with refried beans, rice and avocados. Sometimes meat can be worked into the dish as well.

There are no rules, just right flavors. I added every taste I was craving to mine.
I'm hoping you create a little Bre-vana of your own real soon!

Mine included:

Black Beans
Chorizo
Salsa
Eggs
Flour Tortillas
Cheese
Avocado

Mexican Flatbread Pizza

Yeah, it was delicious. I still have a few slices left (for now).

It's a thin crust pizza topped with black bean paste, red onions, cilantro, tomatoes, chicken and salsa.

Of course, we canNOT forget about the cheese, it's like the glue that holds it all together.

Ingredients

Pillsbury Thin Crust pizza dough

Chicken (cooked and chopped)

Mexican blend of shredded cheese

Red Onion (sliced)

Green Bell Pepper (small dice)

Cilantro (fresh)

Salsa

1 can of Black Beans (pureed in a food processor)

Tomatoes (fresh, sliced)

1. Roll out the dough onto a cookie sheet. Then prebake it in the oven for about 5 minutes. This helps it crisp up before you load on the toppings. Pull it out and set aside.

2. Get your toppings ready. Cook the chicken (I fried mine, but you can grill yours, or bake...it's a personal decision) Chop your onion, dice your pepper, chop the cilantro

3. Take one can of black beans (do not drain) and puree them in your food processor or blender. If you don't have one, just mash them up with a fork. That's what I used to do, trasnfer them into a bowl and mash.

4. Spread the black bean puree over the pizza crust with a spatula or spoon.

5. Sprinkle the peppers and some of your cilantro, now spread some salsa on top.

6. Finally add your chicken, onions, tomatoes and cheese

7. Bake at 350 until the crust is brown.