Beef and Black Bean Quesadillas are on regular rotation in my house. They’re not only quick and easy but tasty, family-approved and customizable. I like to use cheddar cheese and load mine up with fresh cilantro. But Monterey jack, spicy Mexican blend, or mozzarella cheese are also great options. Go ahead and be adventurous with the toppings too. Sour cream and salsa are always family favourites but also try diced avocado, taco sauce, pickled jalapeños, green onion…and the list goes on. But that’s what makes it fun and perfect for the whole family.
There’s a huge variety of tortillas available too. I like the flour and corn blend while my husband prefers plain flour. These are the basic options, you may want to try a multigrain, garden vegetable or sun-dried tomato tortilla. Again, there are lots of options to please everyone.
The black beans extend the ground beef, making these budget-friendly too. You can easily cut back on the ground beef further and sub in a few more black beans. I like just enough to give a little texture, fibre and added nutrition. I use drained and rinsed canned black beans out of convenience but you can certainly cook your own dried beans, which will reduce the cost further. Beef and Black Bean Quesadillas are a great weeknight meal for the whole family no matter how you stack them up. You’ll want them on regular rotation, enjoy!
Heat oil in a medium skillet, add beef and cook until just starting to brown, breaking up larger pieces as it cooks. Drain or dab out any excess fat.
Add green pepper, onion and garlic. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables start to soften and beef is fully browned and cooked through.
Stir in water, taco season, and red pepper flakes. Cook over medium until liquid has evaporated, about 8 minutes.
Stir in black beans and corn and heat until warm. Adjust salt to taste.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle in 1/2 tsp of oil. Add one tortilla and sprinkle the entire tortilla with 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese (about 2 ounces). Spread approximately 1 cup of beef mixture evenly over half of the cheese-covered tortilla.
Allow to cook until the bottom of the tortilla is golden and the cheese is melted. Fold the tortilla in half and press gently to hold it together. Remove to a cutting board and cut into 3 wedges. Repeat with remaining tortillas and serve immediately with your favourite garnishes like sour cream and salsa.
Notes
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Meaty Black Bean Chili is my new favourite chili! For good reason too, it’s hearty and spicy with a punch of freshness from fresh cilantro added at the end. It also uses black beans, which is my favourite bean and they’re a great change from kidney beans. I also like the use of beef and pork for a meaty and hearty chili that is very satisfying. This chili is excellent for potlucks and back yard BBQ parties.
Spicy heat is a personal choice for everyone and everyone gets an opinion on how hot their food should be. I don’t care for anything too spicy, and by that I mean, if I can’t taste the other ingredients because my lips are burning so bad, well, that ’s too hot for me. I find the spiciness in this Meaty Black Bean Chilli just right for my liking. It has a subtle spiciness that’s just enough to make me want to eat another bite with fresh cilantro and cheese to mellow the heat. But of course, this is just my opinion, so feel free to add more cayenne or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce if that suits your taste.
Another great thing about chili is it’s even better if served the next day as the flavours and spiciness have more time meld. It freezes very well and can be kept in a sealed container in the freezer for 1-2 months. Enjoy!
Heat oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef and pork and cook until no longer pink and starting to brown, breaking up any large pieces. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
Scrape out seeds from the chipotle peppers and finely mince, use about two chili peppers with sauce to equal 2 tbsp or more depending how hot you want it. Add peppers to the pot along with beef broth, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, green pepper, onion, spices, salt, and sugar. Stir well to combine.
Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for about 50 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove lid and adjust consistency to your liking by adding more beef broth or simmering uncovered for a few minutes to evaporate some liquid. The chili will thicken slightly as it sits and cools.
Stir in black beans and cook for 1-2 minutes to warm. Stir in cilantro just before serving and ladle into serving bowls. Garnish with cheddar cheese, green onion and additional cilantro.
Recipe Notes
-I found 1 cup of beef broth just about right for consistency. Adjust to your liking.
-This chili is even better when served the next day as the flavours have longer to meld.
-Makes about 9 cups of chili and freezes very well.
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I do!Chili Tortilla Rolls are perfect for any game day being crispy, cheesy and hearty enough for a gathering of game day fans.
These tasty rolls can be made up ahead of time and cooked when you need them for a nice crisp exterior. Once assembled they also freeze well and will keep in a sealed container for up to a month. They’re also a great way to use up leftover chili that you might have. I have included a thick chili to use for these rolls, but any hearty chili can be used.
Served with the little extras like guacamole, sour cream and salsa makes them a game day hit.
Add ground beef and cook until beef is browned, stirring occasionally and breaking apart the chunks.
Stir in remaining ingredients and allow to simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes to meld falvours. Chili should be relatively thick, but add a tablespoon or two of water if needed.
Place one tortilla shell on a flat surface and spread with approximately 3 tbsp of chili leaving a 1" border around. Top with 1 tbsp of cheese. Moisten the top inch of the tortilla with water. Starting from the bottom, roll tortilla shell up a third of the way. Fold in sides 1 1-1/2" and continue to roll forward, enclosing all the chili in a tubular shape.
Continue with remaining shells, chili and cheese until all have been rolled.
Using a 2" skillet or shallow pot, add enough canola oil to come up 1". Heat over medium until hot. Place about 6 chili rolls in hot oil with seam side down (don't overcrowd). Cook for about 2 minutes until golden. Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove with tongs to a paper towel lined plate to absorb excess oil. Cut in half diagonally and serve with guacamole, salsa and sour cream if desired.
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Surprise! Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies are rich, chocolately and sinful just like traditional brownies, but gluten free. The popularity of gluten free products continues to expand and has become a mainstream dietary consideration. The gluten free product market is a billion dollar industry, has a wide range of products and huge marketing campaigns.  I don’t follow a gluten free diet, but I respect that for some it’s a necessity and for others a way to feel better and eat healthier.  Plus, there are hundreds of wonderful gluten free dishes to make and devour,  like these brownies of course!
Ever ask what is gluten and why are people eating gluten free?  Gluten is a vegetable protein found in many grains including wheat, rye, and barley.  Twenty five years ago when I studied nutrition it was a mandatory diet for those with Celiac Disease, and people followed it because it was necessary.  Celiac Disease, in short, is a disease where the consumption of gluten damages the surface of the small intestine, affecting how the body absorbs nutrients, fat, protein and carbohydrates. Today, a gluten free diet is for those with Celiac Disease and for many others a lifestyle choice to eat healthier and feel better. Some people have a sensitivity to gluten or other substances such as preservatives or additives commonly found in wheat products, therefore eating gluten free generally helps them feel better. For others it’s seen as a way to lose weight by reducing the overall amount of carbohydrates in their diet.
I love these Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies because they are much like a regular brownie, but arguably a little healthier as far as brownies go. There’re mixed in one bowl making them quick and easy. The only noticeable difference is a slightly chewier texture. Â Enjoy!
Preheat oven to 350℉, lightly grease 9"x9" baking pan and line with parchment paper allowing an overhang on two opposing sides.
In a small sauce pan over low heat melt together unsweetened chocolate and butter until smooth. Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes. Whisk together gluten free flour, salt and espresso powder, set aside.
In a food processor combine black beans and melted chocolate and blend until smooth, 2-3 minutes, scraping sides once or twice. Add sugar, eggs and vanilla and continue to puree until well combined and smooth. Add flour mixture and pulse until just combined. Stir in pecans and chocolate chips.
Pour and spread evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes until center is just set. Remove from oven and allow to cool on wire rack. Remove from pan by grabbing the overhanging parchment and place on cutting board. Cut into 16 squares, dust with icing sugar if desired.
Recipe Notes
Cloud 9 Gluten Free Flour Blend was the flour used in this recipe.
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