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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Spicy Bean Dip

Here is the part where I lose a few readers because I used two cans of refried beans. And then here is the part where I gain a few new readers because I used two cans of refried beans. Which one are you? Either way, I don't care. Kidding. I care. But not really. But really-not.

It seems like recipes for bean dips only show up when there is some sporting event on TV. Like there were lots of bean dips floating around (go ahead and picture bean dips floating around in the sky. I did.) during the Superbowl. And tons of bean dips during the PBA Championships. What a nail-biter that was! I want bean dip for other things too. Like for lunch. Can I do that? I can.


This bean dip is better than yours because it has ground beef in it. And it has chipotle peppers in it too. It comes together in about 10 minutes and makes a lot. If you have leftovers, don't fret. Wrap up a spoonful into a tortilla and bake up some bean burritos. We did that and it was so very excellent.



1 lb ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 tsp kosher salt
A few grinds black pepper
1-2 chipotle peppers, depending on your taste, seeded and minced
3/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp chile powder
2 15 oz cans refried beans
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Chopped green onions, for garnish
Diced avocado, for garnish
Tortilla chips for dipping

Turn on broiler.

In a large skillet over medium high heat, add ground beef, onion, salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the ground beef. Cook until beef is cooked through and the onion is translucent. Stir in chipotle pepper, cumin and chile powder. Add refried beans, sour cream and 1 cup cheddar cheese. Stir well to combine, until cheese is melted. Pour mixture in a 2 qt baking dish and sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese on top. Put bean dip under the broiler for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Top with green onions and avocado. Serve with tortilla chips.

Rookie's Notes: When I initially tasted this, I thought it lacked salt. But when I started dipping chips, I realized it was perfect. The chips were salty and they added the right amount of salt. If I added more salt to the beans, it would have overly salty and not delicious.

If you want to make bean burritos with the leftovers, it's quite easy. Add about 1 cup of beans to a burrito-sized tortilla and fold it up to seal the edges. Bake the burritos, seam side down, at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. They are so delicious. I even texted Ethan to tell him how amazing I was. It was so good I just had to tell someone.

13 comments:

Kalli said...

Here's the part where I admit to using refried beans to make a bean and cheese burrito for lunch.

It made me feel dirty, and awesome. All at the same time.

SeƱora H-B said...

I love me some low-fat refried beans in a can. Is that disgusting? I don't even care. Yes, I make my own refritos every now and again, but there's just something comforting about those red-ish beans sliding out in the can shape.

PS--the bean dip looks delish!

katers said...

You totally have me with the two cans of refried beans....but you lost me with the ground beef. Ever since my last pregnancy it makes me want to toss my cookies. But I'll probably still try this without it. :)

beck said...

yuuuuummmmmmmmyyyyyyyyyy!
i go through several cans of refried beans a week. someday i will find the perfect refried bean recipe. but i will always have my cans as a back up. reminds me, i am running low and need to pick some more up. i agree with above though, no beef. i am a beans girl and dont eat any meat unless i have too. beans and chpotle are my new excitement in life. out here people are obsessed with a few recipes for dips with no flavor so you had me at spicy. thanks for the freeze website. havent tried it yet. i am sick. got tonselitis. 2 weeks to go. LAME!

Emily said...

Wow! This sounds delicious! I may have to try it this weekend--we love chips and dip!

[Morgan] said...

consider me canned.
but, you knew that already:)

Kalyn Denny said...

I love the sound of this dip, and I bet it would be great in burritos too.

Jessica said...

I was sitting in class reading your blog ('cause I'm running out of steam in the school department). Anyway, the dude next to me says "what is that? That looks awesome." So I sent him the link to this recipe.

If you can make bean dip look awesome, that's pretty amazing.

Laura said...

I pink puffy heart this recipe. There is little else that soothes my soul like canned refried beans. That's right, I said canned! I practically lived off them while I was pregnant with my first (appropriately nicknamed Beany) and am bookmarking this one as a celebration dish to be served the MOMENT I get 2 lines on that test! Whoo! Love, love, love the blog, by the way!

Likely said...

pass the refried beans.

My favorite dinner as a child was bean burritos. canned refried beans. It is still one of my favorites.

I see your comments on a few blogs I follow, but I had never visited yours -- it is lovely!

I actually wanted to comment on your blog about your comment on cjane's post today --- about your husband's cousin. What an amazing story.

It made me teary eyed because A few months ago my 4 year old son was inches within being ran over in a Joann's parking lot. I was putting my other son into his car seat, and my older son was right behind me watching rain water rush down a gutter. Neither of us knew that the car next to us was occupied.

Suddenly I heard the car parked in front of me HONKKKK really loud and hard and spun around to see the SUV next to me inches away from my son's body, he was startled and looked up, the car that was backing up hit the brakes and I went and grabbed him, throwing my other son into his seat.

It all happened within seconds.

If that other car didn't honk, who knows what would have happened.

My heart still races when I see it all in slow motion in my head.

I sat in the car and held him and held him and held him. I cried. and cried. HE didn't understand what happened. I just kept telling him over and over again that I loved him.

Your story just really hit something in me. Thank you for sharing.

And congratulations on your pregnancy!

Ryan and Tammy said...

oh man do i need some of that!

Kacie said...

this looks so good its unreal. so. damn. good.

Rachel said...

I love refried beans and I don't care if they are canned or not. I will be trying this this weekend! Looks so so yummy!