by Jane Rodmell for All The Best Fine Foods, a ‘Certified Good Food Fighter‘

This holiday weekend at All The Best you will find lots of ideas to make your summer entertaining spectacular and super easy. We have gathered together special items for you to add to your pantry so that you can enjoy fresh flavours and fabulous meals all summer long. When you have ‘the best’ ingredients in the cupboard, great-tasting food is at your fingertips with no effort at all.

You’ll find suggestions for essential pantry items as well as ideas for simple snacks on the dock, easy meals, sweet treats and gifts for your summer hostess.

All The Best Chipotle Black Bean Dip is one of the popular ready-to-go snacks available in our refrigerator, together with salsas, lots of other tasty dips, olives, corn chips and everything you need for casual summer entertaining.

Or use our recipe below to whip up a tasty bean dip for yourself with items from the pantry.

Chipotle Black Bean Dip
Made with whatever type of dried or canned beans you have in the cupboard (e.g. black beans, red kidney beans or pinto beans), this spicy bean purée is a popular addition to south-of-the-border style snacks. Serve with toasted wedges of corn tortillas or corn chips.

Chipotles (smoked jalapeno peppers) are available in small cans preserved in a fiery tomato-based sauce. They’re great to have on hand whenever a dash of flavourful heat is needed to spice up a dish. They’re pretty hot, so use according to taste.

1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
½ to 1 chipotle pepper preserved in adobo sauce, chopped
1 can (14 to 19oz/398 to 540ml) black beans, rinsed and drained or about ½ cup (125 ml) dried beans, soaked and cooked
Kosher or sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
¼ to ½ cup (50 to 125 ml) hot water
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh coriander

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and chipotle and sauté for a minute. Add beans and ¼ cup (50 ml) water and toss all together over the heat for a few more minutes.

In a food processor, purée bean mixture until almost smooth. Add a little water as needed to make a good spreading and dipping consistency -not too runny and not too stiff.  Season to taste with salt, pepper and coriander. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve hot or warm or cover and keep in the refrigerator.

Variation: Chipotle Black Bean Melt: Add I cup (250 ml) shredded Monterey Jack, or medium Cheddar cheese to bean purée. Transfer mixture to a small ovenproof bowl and cover with foil. Before serving, bake in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven until beans are bubbling, 5 to 20 minutes. Brown top lightly under the broiler. Serve hot. Makes 2 cups (500 ml).

Pick up your Best Summer Pantry shopping list at the store or find it at www.allthebestfinefoods.com.

Happy holiday weekend!

All the best,

Jane