Enjoy this healthy spicy black bean dip recipe made with plum tomatoes and chili powder. Black beans are not just good in soup, when pureed with other ingredients they make a healthful dip or spread. I prefer to use Goya canned black beans because they are already seasoned, so any additional ingredients just add depth to the texture and flavor of the bean. I used to use beefsteak tomatoes to make this recipe, but they are not always plentiful or good. Plum tomatoes are pretty much always ripe and juicy and that's what you want for this spicy and savory dip.

INGREDIENTS

1 15 oz. can black beans
1 Cup chopped plum tomatoes
1 Cup chopped green peppers
1 to 2 Tspn Chili Powder
3/4 Tspn red pepper flakes
1 to 2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 Tspn Cumin
1 Tblspn vegetable or grapeseed oil
1 Tblspn Oregano
Salt and pepper to taste.

DIRECTIONS

Rinse and drain canned beans. Keeping 1/2 cup of liquid from beans.

In a large bowl combine beans, chili powder, garlic, cumin, oil red pepper flakes and oregano. Put mix into a blender and blend to a coarse chopped texture.

Pour mixture into saucepan, adding the chopped green peppers and the remaining liquid from black beans. Simmer on medium low heat for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes with lid. Taste dip and add salt and pepper if needed.

Remove dip from heat and pour into large colorful bowl. Let sit for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. Serve with tortilla chips or Triskets.

Hints:
*This bean dip is good topped with a grated mellow cheese (grate the cheese yourself or buy it grated and packaged at supermarket). Top with any of the following items: chopped green peppers, chopped white onion, chopped black olives, finely diced green onions or scallions; or chopped and seeded tomatoes. Better yet, top with a bit of everything.

*This dip is also good served on lightly buttered toast halves with crusts removed. A dollop a sour cream or plain yogurt mixed with garlic powder makes a nice touch. Sprinkle a few chopped green onions or scallions on top of each toast halve and you have an appetizer that is good enough to serve to company.