Black Bean Tortilla Bake

I prepared this dish last Christmas for my office lunch. It was a huge hit  :)

I found this recipe on food.com , it is very filling and tastes yummy. Tortilla as in main recipe makes it soggy, so I use tortilla chips to give it a crunch. Here is my version of the recipe

Black Bean Tortilla Bake

1 can of Black beans
1 can diced tomato puree (8 oz)
1 small onion - Chopped
1/2 Fresh jalapeno or 4-5 pickled jalapeno (finely chopped)
2 cloves of garlic -finely chopped
1 packet tortilla chip
1 and half  cup Mexican or Cheddar cheese
Olive oil or vegetable oil
1 Bell Pepper(optional)
Salt
Black Pepper
Pinch of Cayenne pepper

For topping

Sour Cream
Olives
Pickled Jalapeno
Tomatoes
Pico de gallo
Cilantro

• Preheat the oven at 350 F meanwhile heat oil in a big pan, add chopped garlic, and tomatoes. Mix well and cook for about a minute.
• Add bell pepper, salt, black pepper and cayenne and mix it  again
• Add tomato puree and beans, give a nice stir.
• Turn off the heat.
• In a greased baking pan add a layer of tortilla chips, add black bean layer and at last add a layer of cheese.
• Repeat this procedure and use all the black bean mixture.
• Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

Serve hot  with the toppings

Taco Spiced Cheesy Potatoes

Taco Spiced Potatoes

5-6 Red Potatoes ( Yukon Gold or Russet Potatoes can be also used)

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
4 Tbsp. Taco/Fajita Seasoning (I used McCormick brand seasonings)
1/2 Cup Cheese ( Taco Blend or Fiesta or Cheddar)

• Boil the potatoes and remove the skin
• Cut the potatoes into small cubes
• In a pan heat the oil
• Add Seasoning followed by the Potatoes
• Mix well and remove from the heat
• Transfer the potatoes into a greasy baking pan and sprinkle with cheese
• Bake in the oven at 350 F until it is golden brown

(*To cut the cooking process sometimes I just mix potatoes with oil and the seasoning instead of stovetop cooking)

Warm Black Bean Salsa

"Necessity is the mother of invention:" is true in this case. This weekend I ran out of vegetables and had no idea what to cook. Grabbed whatever I had and came out with this idea. It turned out great. Used as a stuffing along with Taco Spiced cheesy potatoes for my lazy Saturday Tacos!

1 Can Black Bean
1/2 Cup Frozen Corn
1/2 Cup Chopped Onion
1 Tomato Cut into Pieces
1 Tbsp Chopped Garlic
2-3 Pickled Jalapeno Slices (Finely Chopped)
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper
Cilantro

• Drain and rinse the bean
• Heat the Oil in a pan
• Add Garlic and saute for 30 seconds
• Add Onion and cook for 2-3 minutes
• Add Corn and Jalapeno
• Add Tomato followed by Beans
• Season with Salt and Pepper
• Cook for about 3-4 minutes
• Add Lemon Juice and Cilantro