Classic Minestrone Soup If you read our blog regularly, you know I LOVE a good soup. You can check out all of our soup recipes HERE, there are a lot:) Today, we are sharing a recipe for Easy Minestrone Soup. I am excited to share this easy, health…
Classic Minestrone Soup If you read our blog regularly, you know I LOVE a good soup. You can check out all of our soup recipes HERE, there are a lot:) Today, we are sharing a recipe for Easy Minestrone Soup. I am excited to share this easy, healthy, and comforting minestrone soup recipe because it is…
This rustic Italian pasta-and-bean soup is oh-so-satisfying on a cold day (but just as enjoyable on a warm one). Pasta e fagioli is an Italian pasta and bean stew with a tomato-based broth, small pasta, and white beans such as cannellini. It’s one of our favorite quick and easy dinner recipes, made with mostly pantry […]
This rustic Italian pasta-and-bean soup is oh-so-satisfying on a cold day (but just as enjoyable on a warm one).
Pasta e fagioli is an Italian pasta and bean stew with a tomato-based broth, small pasta, and white beans such as cannellini. It’s one of our favorite quick and easy dinner recipes, made with mostly pantry ingredients you already have on hand.
When the stars make you drool, just like pasta fazool, that’s amore.
And in truth, this soup is most definitely a thing of true love.
Pasta e fagioli, or pasta and beans, is an Italian peasant soup made with (you guessed it) pasta and white beans. In the United States it is often called pasta fazool, like the song, fazool derived from the Neapolitan word for beans, fasule.
Whatever you call it, there’s no denying it is incredibly hearty and delicious.
The variations of such a dish are myriad, some more soupy, some more saucy, some with nary a tomato in sight.
I imagine Italian grannies everywhere each have their own signature version, with the only common thread between them being the presence of pasta and beans in some form or another.
Our version is most definitely a tomato-centric soup, hearty and flavorful with the addition of Italian sausage and fresh fennel. We also like to mash some of the beans, which add a lovely thickness and silky texture to the broth.
This black bean tacos recipe takes just 15 minutes! It’s a fast and easy dinner idea that’s easy to customize and pleases everyone. On the lookout for those elusive recipes that are healthy, easy and delicious? Meet our new favorite: these easy Black Bean Tacos! We created this recipe to be totally customizable based on your diet and available time. It stars our 5 minute black beans, a quick taco filling idea that’s bursting with flavor in just a few minutes. Top it with all the best taco toppings: corn, avocado, pickled onions: and a sprinkling of feta cheese. If you have time, we love it with cilantro lime sauce: but taco sauce and sour cream does the trick too! There’s really something for everyone with this one. More seriuously easy tacos? Try our Refried Bean Tacos or Egg Tacos! How to make the easiest black bean tacos These black bean tacos are beyond easy: and they work with whatever toppings you’d like! The secret behind them is the easy black bean filling. Here’s what to know about how to make the fastest black bean tacos there are: Mince garlic, then cook 30 seconds in butter and olive oil. The […]
This black bean tacos recipe takes just 15 minutes! It’s a fast and easy dinner idea that’s easy to customize and pleases everyone.
On the lookout for those elusive recipes that are healthy, easy and delicious? Meet our new favorite: these easy Black Bean Tacos! We created this recipe to be totally customizable based on your diet and available time. It stars our 5 minute black beans, a quick taco filling idea that’s bursting with flavor in just a few minutes. Top it with all the best taco toppings: corn, avocado, pickled onions: and a sprinkling of feta cheese. If you have time, we love it with cilantro lime sauce: but taco sauce and sour cream does the trick too! There’s really something for everyone with this one.
These black bean tacos are beyond easy: and they work with whatever toppings you’d like! The secret behind them is the easy black bean filling. Here’s what to know about how to make the fastest black bean tacos there are:
Mince garlic, then cook 30 seconds in butter and olive oil. The combination of two cooking fats makes for the very best flavor. But you can substitute all olive oil if you’d like!
Add drained but not rinsed black beans and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Here’s the key: a little bit of the can liquid will remain on the beans, making a thick sauce for the tacos.
Note: all black bean brands are different. Some canned black beans are more tender than others. We like this best with a black bean brand that’s very tender vs a more al dente type of bean. You’ll have to experiment to find your favorite!
Customize your taco toppings!
Once you’ve got the black bean filling, it’s time for toppings! We’ve listed our favorite toppings in the recipe below. You can customize based on your preferences and diet. But it is important to have a few elements. Here’s what to note about topping your black bean toppings:
Crunchy veggies are required! Because black beans are soft in texture, you’ll need a crunchy contrast. Here we used chopped romaine and corn. Use these if at all possible!
You’ll need a good sauce. A good sauce is the key to a tasty taco! Purchased taco sauce or salsa and sour cream is the fastest option. If you have 5 minutes, make our Cilantro Lime Sauce.
Cheese is nice, but optional. We like adding a sprinkle of feta crumbles or queso fresco: you can also use shredded cheese.
Add other veggies as desired! We love it with avocado and the bright tang of pickled red onions, made in advance. A few sliced jalapeno peppers are nice too. If you have lots of time, make them with roasted sweet potatoes for an even tastier taco!
Sauce options for black bean tacos!
There are lots of other sauce options for these tacos! Here are a few more great options listed in terms of timing and diet preferences:
Taco sauce or salsa: It’s easy to use purchased, but you can also make homemade taco sauce or salsa.
Here’s our biggest tip for black bean tacos: warm your tortillas! There’s nothing worse than a taco with a tough, cold tortilla. Here’s how to warm tortillas like a pro:
Place them over the flame of a gas burner (preferred!). The best way? Place each tortilla directly on a gas burner for a few seconds per side. It lightly chars the edges and warms the tortillas. Then throw them into a tortilla warmer!
Or, warm them in the oven. If you don’t have a gas burner, you can warm them in the oven. Go to How to Warm Tortillas.
Make gluten free or vegan black bean tacos
It’s easy to adapt these black bean tacos for various diets! Here’s what to do:
For gluten free, use corn tortillas. There are also lots of gluten free tortilla options these days, like cassava, sweet potato, and more. Check your local grocery!
For vegan, use vegan toppings. Use all olive oil for the black beans and omit the cheese toppings. Add a vegan sauce like Cilantro Sauce.
Black beans nutrition
What makes these black bean tacos such a great healthy dinner idea? They star black beans! Black beans are:
Excellent source of protein. 1 cup has 15 grams of protein, about 30% of your daily protein needs.
Excellent source of fiber. 1 cup also has 15 grams of fiber, about 50% of your daily intake.
Lower glycemic index compared to many other high-carbohydrate foods, meaning they cause a smaller rise in blood sugar after a meal.
This black bean tacos recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Make the black beans: Drain the beans, but don’t rinse them. Mince the garlic. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not yet browned. Add the beans (drained but not rinsed), cumin, kosher salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Cook 3 to 4 minutes until warmed through and the liquid cooks down and thickens. Taste and add additional salt if desired.
Assemble the toppings: Review the toppings above and prep them as desired.
Warm the tortillas: Warm and char the tortillas by placing them on an open gas flame on medium for a few seconds per side, flipping with tongs, until they are slightly blackened and warm. (See How to Warm Tortillas.)
Serve: Place the black beans in the tortillas, then top with toppings and enjoy.
I decided this year I was going to make peace with my slow cooker. I was surprised by how much I didn’t take to it, which I’ve documented here and there. Like bread machines, Instant Pots, Thermomix, and cast irons skillets, someone wrote about the latter on my Facebook page, “It’s just a PAN…” (in all-caps), they certainly have their fans. I do like my…
I decided this year I was going to make peace with my slow cooker. I was surprised by how much I didn’t take to it, which I’ve documented here and there. Like bread machines, Instant Pots, Thermomix, and cast irons skillets, someone wrote about the latter on my Facebook page, “It’s just a PAN…” (in all-caps), they certainly have their fans. I do like my cast iron skillet very much, but my life doesn’t change radically when I reach for mine. Although wouldn’t it be great if that was all it took? 😀
My appliance company gave me the slow cooker after I hounded them for three years to get reimbursed for a dishwasher repair charge they said they’d reimburse me for. I was happy to have finally settled that debt and move on with my life, but am still unclear as to why it took three years for them to tell me they couldn’t send me a check for reimbursement. Since I already had a grille-pain (toaster), a robot (food processor), and a boulloire (hot water kettle), I went with the slow cooker, which I’ve been determined to fall in love with.
Hello, Emily here, from day 29 of the 2nd confinement (lockdown) in France. I never thought you could miss the city you live in, but I miss Paris. Physically she remains present and although stores are allowed to reopen tomorrow, restaurants will remain closed, the streets are quiet and the soul of the city is sleeping. The old Latin motto of Paris is ‘Fluctuat nec mergitur’…
Hello, Emily here, from day 29 of the 2nd confinement (lockdown) in France.
I never thought you could miss the city you live in, but I miss Paris. Physically she remains present and although stores are allowed to reopen tomorrow, restaurants will remain closed, the streets are quiet and the soul of the city is sleeping. The old Latin motto of Paris is ‘Fluctuat nec mergitur’ which roughly translates to ‘tossed by the waves but never sunk’ and wow, has 2020 done some tossing.
During the second lockdown we have been restricted to a 1km (about half a mile) radius from our homes with a permission slip needed (that you fill out yourself) to go out for essentials (food, medical appointments, etc.) or to exercise. While my little radius included some of my favorite places, most of the city has been decidedly off-limits.
Over the past 4 weeks we made the most of our allocated hour of ‘exercise’ each day in the nearby Jardin Du Luxembourg, letting the dog do her daily investigating, and letting our kids play in the fresh air. When possible, I also enjoyed a solo walk along the banks of the Seine, whose calm current reminded me that the history of France is filled with challenges that have been overcome.
I never realized how much of the city I took for granted – perhaps a fitting metaphor for 2020? A quick stop at my local terrace for a coffee or chilled glass of wine, and a quiet exchange with the impeccably dressed waiter. The cultural institutions, who remain shuttered, their beauty and history waiting patiently to be frequented once again (although you can visit many online like the Louvre,Versailles,Centre Pompidou or the Musée d’Orsay). And the small boutiques and independent bookstores that I visit as much for the conversation with the owners as the books. But most of all, I am excited to return to the specialty food shops spread all over town, which were beyond my 1km ‘border.’ Continue Reading Holiday Gift Guide: Bringing France to You and Others...
Oven roasted green beans are full of big flavor! A hot oven makes them juicy and tender, and they’re spritzed with zingy fresh lemon. Sure you can make them steamed or sauteed…but have you tried Roasted Green Beans? Because they’re something special! I do love a crunchy, crisp tender bean, but I think my very favorite is oven roasted. A hot oven makes magic with just about every vegetable; here it turns green beans into a tender, caramelized version of themselves. Add a spritz of lemon juice and a sprinkle of toasted almonds, and it’s an easy yet gourmet side dish. Even our 3 year old loved these, and he’s not usually a green bean fan. Ingredients for oven roasted green beans What do you need for roasted green beans? Only a handful of ingredients: 5, if you don’t count salt and pepper! The most important thing here is the green beans. If you can’t find quality green beans at your grocery or a farmer’s market in the summer: don’t bother! Alex and I have been burned before with limp, bruised beans. This recipe is not worth making if you don’t have quality to start with! Here’s what you’ll need: […]
Oven roasted green beans are full of big flavor! A hot oven makes them juicy and tender, and they’re spritzed with zingy fresh lemon.
Sure you can make them steamed or sauteed…but have you tried Roasted Green Beans? Because they’re something special! I do love a crunchy, crisp tender bean, but I think my very favorite is oven roasted. A hot oven makes magic with just about every vegetable; here it turns green beans into a tender, caramelized version of themselves. Add a spritz of lemon juice and a sprinkle of toasted almonds, and it’s an easy yet gourmet side dish. Even our 3 year old loved these, and he’s not usually a green bean fan.
Ingredients for oven roasted green beans
What do you need for roasted green beans? Only a handful of ingredients: 5, if you don’t count salt and pepper! The most important thing here is the green beans. If you can’t find quality green beans at your grocery or a farmer’s market in the summer: don’t bother! Alex and I have been burned before with limp, bruised beans. This recipe is not worth making if you don’t have quality to start with! Here’s what you’ll need:
Fresh green beans (see notes above on quality!)
Olive oil
Garlic powder
Lemon
Salt and pepper
Sliced almonds
Yes, the green beans with lemon and almonds theme is a little basic. You know why? It’s just that good. As with all those classic flavor combinations (tomato and basil, PB&J), they exist for a reason.
A fast way to trim green beans
Have you ever made green beans and it seems like it takes ages to trim off all the ends? If you’re meticulous, you can spend 15 minutes trimming a pound of green beans. And no one wants that! Don’t worry: we’ve researched the best way to trim green beans…fast! Here’s how to do it:
Line them up: Grab a handful (about 15 to 20 beans) and then place them on the cutting board. Working quickly, make a uniform pile with them all lined up lengthwise. They don’t all need to be facing the same way!
Slice one end: Line up all the ends against your knife edge. Grab them in one hand, and cut off the ends with a knife.
Flip and slice the other: Quickly flip the beans the other way, and then push them towards your knife blade so that the other ends line up. Grab the pile and slice off the other ends. Done!
How to roast green beans
Now that you’ve cut the beans, the hard part is over! All you need to know is the oven temperature and how long to roast. In fact, you barely need a recipe! Memorize this and make these on repeat. Here’s the main idea behind how to make roasted green beans (or jump to the full recipe):
Roast 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 to 15 minutes. The timing depends on your oven and the freshness of the beans.
You don’t have to stir.
How to season roasted green beans? Use 1 tablespoon olive oil and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt per pound. Then of course you can mix it up with seasonings: keep reading!
Top with toasted nuts of your choosing
Green beans are often topped with almonds, and here they add a satisfying crunch to these roasted green beans. It’s a nice contrast because the texture of the beans is rather soft, not crisp tender like sautéed beans. Here’s a key when you add nuts: always, always toast the nuts. Why? Toasting nuts brings out their nuttiness: it’s kind of like adding salt to food. You can absolutely taste the difference when you try them back to back. Here are a few ideas on other toasted nuts to add to oven roasted green beans:
Toasted Pine Nuts (these would be fantastic with a little shredded Parmesan cheese, too!)
Seasoning ideas!
When it comes to oven roasted green beans: we’ve found simple is best! Clean, straightforward flavors are key here. Season with a little garlic powder before popping them in the oven, then add a squeeze of lemon when they come out. There are lots of other ways to dress them up, though! Here are a few ideas:
Add fresh herbs: Fresh thyme, chives or a hint of finely chopped rosemary would be nice
Use butter instead: Roast them with salted butter for a more savory experience
Add finely chopped shallot: Shallot is mild enough to add raw, and it adds an oniony flair
Top with coconut bacon: Add crunchy Coconut Bacon for a smoky nuance
What goes with roasted green beans?
Let us count the ways! These roasted green beans are ultra versatile, so they work with almost any main dish. They’re also great for special meals like Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter. Here are some ideas for pairing them:
In a bowl, combine the beans with the olive oil, kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then place the beans on the pan and roast for about 13 to 15 minutes, until just tender and lightly browned (before they get to dark brown).
Meanwhile, toast the almonds in a small dry frying pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until toasted, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and chop.
When beans are finished roasting, add squeezes of lemon juice and sprinkle with almonds. Serve immediately.
This intensely delicious bean dip recipe takes literally 5 minutes. You won’t believe how easy it is to make this party favorite! This recipe happened by accident. That’s where many great recipes come from, right? Happy accidents. From this most recent accident came our famous 5-Minute Bean Dip recipe! It’s not superlative when I say it might be the very easiest recipe we’ve ever created. Beans, salsa, and cheese come together into the creamiest, gooiest piping hot mess. Dunk in crunchy chips and it tastes remarkably like the queso from your favorite Mexican joint. With just 3 ingredients, the flavor is more irresistibly complex than you’d imagine. But to really understand the magic here: you’ve got to taste it. Ingredients in the fastest, easiest bean dip recipe Alex whipped this up on a whim one night to go with some tacos, and it was so unexpectedly delicious that we decided it needed to go public. We’ve made this so many times, we’ve lost count. The greatness is in its simplicity, because all you need is 3 ingredients (plus salt): Canned borlotti or pinto beans Salsa Shredded Mexican blend or cheddar cheese Pinto beans vs borlotti beans Oddly enough, we first […]
This intensely delicious bean dip recipe takes literally 5 minutes. You won’t believe how easy it is to make this party favorite!
This recipe happened by accident. That’s where many great recipes come from, right? Happy accidents. From this most recent accident came our famous 5-Minute Bean Dip recipe! It’s not superlative when I say it might be the very easiest recipe we’ve ever created. Beans, salsa, and cheese come together into the creamiest, gooiest piping hot mess. Dunk in crunchy chips and it tastes remarkably like the queso from your favorite Mexican joint. With just 3 ingredients, the flavor is more irresistibly complex than you’d imagine. But to really understand the magic here: you’ve got to taste it.
Ingredients in the fastest, easiest bean dip recipe
Alex whipped this up on a whim one night to go with some tacos, and it was so unexpectedly delicious that we decided it needed to go public. We’ve made this so many times, we’ve lost count. The greatness is in its simplicity, because all you need is 3 ingredients (plus salt):
Canned borlotti or pinto beans
Salsa
Shredded Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
Pinto beans vs borlotti beans
Oddly enough, we first made this bean dip recipe with a unique variety of beans: borlotti beans! Alex found them on a whim at our local grocery and we accidentally loved them. This bean dip tastes amazing with the creamy, meaty texture of borlotti beans, but they can be hard to find. Pinto beans work just as well as a substitute! Here’s some info about both:
What are borlotti beans? Borlotti beans are a bean related to kidney and pinto beans. They’re common in Italy and Mexico, and also referred to as cranberry beans or cacahuate beans (in Mexico). In their dried state they’re a beautiful dappled white and pink color, but when cooked they look the same color as pinto beans, a sort of pinkish brown. We found them in 13-ounce jars in our local grocery.
Pinto beans are the best substitute for borlotti beans! You can easily make this dip with pinto beans and it tastes just as good!
How to make bean dip: the fast way
This dip couldn’t be easier or faster. (Have we emphasized that enough yet?) In fact, you don’t even need to drain or rinse those beans. Yep, just use them right from the can! Here’s the brief overview of how this bean dip recipe comes together:
Dump beans, salsa & cheese into a saucepan. Don’t drain or rinse the beans: the can liquid is important to getting just the right texture.
Heat until the cheese melts. You’ll see it go from mostly melted to becoming a sort of liquid cheese. That’s when it’s ready! Serve when it’s piping hot.
Can you substitute cooked dry beans?
Usually we’re all about cooking dried beans. But in this bean dip recipe, we do not recommend substituting cooked dry beans. Why? Canning beans makes their membranes very tender, almost mushy. Canned beans also have thickened can liquid, which is impossible to obtain at home when you cook from dry. You need both of these things in order for this bean dip to come together so quickly with just the right texture. Save those beans for one of these bean recipes!
Add a garnish for some flair
Typically we serve this bean dip without a garnish. But if you want to take it over the top for parties, add a garnish! Throw a few chopped veggies in the center of the dip, and the color contrast looks lovely. Here are a few ideas for the garnish:
Wait, you don’t want a gooey cheesy bean dip? We’ve got an option for you too. This Easy Refried Bean Dip is vegan and full of flavor! You’ll use storebought canned refried beans instead of whole beans, and mix it with green chiles and seasonings. It’s terrifically delicious and a smidge healthier than this bean dip recipe, if you’re looking for something lighter.
What to pair with bean dip
That’s it! You’ve got your bean dip faster than the time it takes you to read this article. Lastly, here are a few things we’d pair with bean dip. You can likely think of these yourself, but we wanted to point to a few specific recipes:
Tortilla chips: Sure, you can buy them. But have you ever tried Homemade Tortilla Chips? Warm from the oven, they’re simply sublime.
Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan: no need to drain or rinse the beans (add the can liquid too)! Warm it over medium heat until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Mash beans gently with a masher if you’d like a smoother texture. Taste and add another pinch of salt if necessary.
Serve immediately with tortilla chips. If desired, you can garnish with chopped veggies: we used a bit of finely chopped tomato, red onion and green onion with a drizzle of Cholula hot sauce.
Category:Appetizer
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Mexican inspired
Keywords: Bean dip, bean dip recipe
More great dip recipes
We love to dip, over here! Here are some of our top favorite dip recipes if you’re looking for more inspiration:
The best plant-based alternative for shredded chicken to make a delicious Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip is oyster mushrooms. And how to make a cheezy, gooey cream cheese sauce that is not only vegan, but nut-free and soy-free as well? The not-so-secret ing…
The best plant-based alternative for shredded chicken to make a delicious Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip is oyster mushrooms. And how to make a cheezy, gooey cream cheese sauce that is not only vegan, but nut-free and soy-free as well? The not-so-secret ingredient is cannellini beans. Wanna know more? Dips are one of the most versatile...
This robustly flavored vegetarian chili features three kinds of beans and pumpkin puree for a luxurious texture and fabulous fall flavor. So good you won’t miss the meat! Here’s a hearty fall recipe for you, full of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry! Just because it’s vegetarian doesn’t mean it’s bland, as this […]
This robustly flavored vegetarian chili features three kinds of beans and pumpkin puree for a luxurious texture and fabulous fall flavor. So good you won’t miss the meat!
Here’s a hearty fall recipe for you, full of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry! Just because it’s vegetarian doesn’t mean it’s bland, as this chili proves.
It’s that time of year.
The temperatures are dropping. The markets are heaped with pumpkins. Your pantry is stocked with stacks of canned beans and tomatoes that you probably bought back in April and have since forgotten about (or maybe that’s just me?)
Needless to say, this hearty and healthy vegetarian chili is just what you’ve been craving this fall.
Our first batch was simply a vegetarian three-bean chili, sans pumpkin. And while the flavor was spot on, the texture was a bit watery, which, for something like chili, isn’t ideal. At least in my mind I always imagine a thick and hearty stew, so we made our notes and shelved the recipe for another day.
The next time around, inspired by a windfall of three giant cans of canned pumpkin from Costco (and a little push from our devoted facebook group), we decided to add pumpkin puree to give the soup some added body and richness; it makes for a luxurious texture, with just a hint of sweetness and subtle pumpkin flavor (don’t worry, this is by no means pumpkin spice chili… because that would be taking things entirely too far.)