Caramelized Black Bean Butter Food

CARAMELIZED BUTTER TARTS

Steps:

• Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the lemon zest and vanilla. Cut in the butter and mix until the butter is in pea-sized pieces. Add the eggs and water and mix until combined. Divide the dough into 18 pieces and roll each into a circle. Press the dough into tart pans.
• Filling: Melt the butter, brown sugar and milk in saucepan and stir until the sugar starts to dissolve. Take the pan off the heat and whisk in the egg and raisins.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the tart crusts for 12 minutes. Divide the filling among the tarts and bake until bubbly, about 5 minutes.

GREEN BEANS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Fill a large high sided skillet with some water, adding enough to be just shy of the rim of the pan by about 1 inch. Place over high heat and bring up to boil; add a big pinch of salt and the green beans. Cook for about 5 minutes, the beans should still be crisp. Drain the beans and then run them under some cold water to stop them from cooking. Reserve the beans while you start the onions.
• Return the skillet you cooked the beans in to the cook top over medium heat. Add the almonds and toast stirring every now and then until golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the almonds from the skillet and reserve. Return the skillet to the heat and add the butter and olive oil and heat until the butter has melted. Add the onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook stirring frequently until the onions caramelize, 20 to 25 minutes. Add the thyme, and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the cooked cooled green beans and almonds, and stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

CARAMELIZED BLACK BEAN BUTTER

Steps:

• Over medium-high heat, heat a large nonstick skillet and melt together butter and oil.
• Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute, then lower temperature to medium and add onion. Sauté , stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until soft and golden.
• Place cooked onion mixture, beans, cocoa, salt, pepper, and paprika in food processor and whir until smooth.
• Transfer the bean butter into serving bowl and sprinkle with parsley.
• Enjoy!

GREEN BEANS WITH CARAMELIZED-SHALLOT BUTTER

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add shallots and saute' 4 minutes (or until golden); stir in vinegar and cook 1 1/2 more minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in thyme, rind, salt, and pepper (I added more butter at this point).
• Cook beans in boiling water 3 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain.
• Combine beans and shallot mixture in a large bowl and toss well to coat.

BLACK BEAN GAZPACHO

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl combine tomatoes, juice, ham, beans, cucumber or squash, chopped pepper, green onions, and dressing.
• Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours.
• If desired, serve with bottled hot pepper sauce.
• Makes 4 main-dish servings.
• *Note:If you're not so hot about hot and spicy food, you can use regular vegetable juice, or even the reduced-sodium version.
• Make-Ahead Tip: Combine ingredients; cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours.