Spiced Black Beans

Spiced Beans

Time: 30 minutes (but it really doesn't take too much effort)

Serves 4-6

Black beans have a reputation for being mealy health-food dreck. This recipe serves to contradict that stereotype. After eating these, I promise you'll find yourself craving them all the time.

2 cans black beans (do not leave out the watery bean juice in the cans)

1/2 cup diced onion

2 garlic cloves peeled

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 jalapeno pepper

2 oz. dark bittersweet chocolate

pinch ground cloves and all spice

enough olive oil to coat the pan

salt and pepper to taste

Coat a heated sauce pan with oil and saute the onions, garlic cloves, and jalapeno peppers whole over high heat. Once the onions are transparent, add the rest of the ingredients. Simmer the beans, mixing occasionally, over low heat until most of the liquid has burnt off. Serve with tortillas or rice-or anything else you can think of.

As with most recipes I write, there are a ton of variations that you can do to this dish. If you want a heartier dish, add some kidney and white beans in with the mixture--and if you want to kick the heartiness into high gear, serve some nice rear (Note: food borne illnesses are a serious matter--so cook your food accordingly...me, I'll take some salmonella for a nice bloody piece of meat) steak atop the beans. Please, let me know how your cooking adventures go. More recipes to come, I promise.