Dippity Do Dah

Janet here:

Like Rachel, I don't give two hoots about football or the Super Bowl. (See her post here about the event as an excuse to make nachos. Hah!) But others in my family — namely the males — care about such things so I liked to make watching the game a little special. It was a chance to gather together in front of the fire and nosh on some specialty goods (i.e. stuff that wasn't around the house that often the rest of the year like all the Doritos you could ever want and soda, something I rarely bought for our kids.).

Typically we'd have some kind of dip and then make-your-own subs, a favorite of S and G. I can remember going shopping with S and how excited he was as a little boy to pick out the chips and the sub makings. It's really a happy memory for me.

Our dips back in those days were fairly straight-forward because "strange" items like onions or veggies were not popular. Now, I'm happy to report, the palates have grown up with the boys. I made this spicy bean dip over the holidays and it was scarfed up in minutes. It's super easy.

What's your favorite go-to dip for family and friends?

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Spicy Black Bean Dip
makes about 2 cups

ingredients
canola oil
1/2 cup sliced green onions
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons cumin
2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
2 teaspoons canned chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
salt to taste
1/2 cup sour cream
1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, minced
about 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro

method
In a medium pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and sauces, and saute until the onions are softened. Add the beans and 1/3 cup water. Simmer until the water evaporates, about 5 minutes. Cool for a few minutes.

In a food processor, process the bean mixture until coarsely mashed. Add the lime juice, chipotle chilies and salt. Puree until smooth.

Add the sour cream, jalapeno and cilantro. Pulse until just incorporated. Season to taste and then serve it up with chips and veggies.