Easy Bean Spread

An easily-prepared lunch item or side dish...

Similar to my hummus recipe, the flavors of tahini and cumin make this a smooth, zesty food--quite flavorful. I really like it in a pita pocket for lunch. It's also tasty spread on crackers. It's great chilled or microwaved a bit.

This bean spread is easy to prepare: you just use a spatula to mash the beans some in between adding each other ingredient. By the time everything is in the bowl and combined, the mixture has a nicely spreadable texture.

Easy Bean Spread
Estimated time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2 - 4

Ingredients

• 1 can (15-16 oz) black beans
• 1 can (15-16 oz) great northern beans
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste)
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions

1. Drain the cans of beans. Discard the liquid. Gently rinse the beans, then transfer them to a large bowl.

2. With a rubber spatula, stir the beans to mix them.
3. Add the minced garlic. With the spatula, stir and smash the mixture until about half of the beans are mashed.

4. Stir in the tahini, and mash the mixture again with the spatula for a half-minute or so.

5. Add the lemon juice. Mash and stir.

6. Add the lime juice. Mash and stir.

7. Add the freshly-ground black pepper. Mash and stir.
8. Add the salt. Mash and stir.

9. Add the ground cumin. Stir and mash.

10. Add the fresh chopped cilantro. Stir and smash.

11. Stir in the chili powder. Mix and mash the mixture one last time.

12. Refrigerate. Serve chilled or heated. Serve in a pita pocket with spinach or sprouts, or serve as a spread on crackers.

Enjoy!