Thursday, November 3, 2011

Amazing Black Bean Burritos

I cannot say enough about this recipe.  I consider it my very best find since having embarked on my heart-healthy mission two years ago.  It's easy and SO tasty; double the batch for plenty of leftovers.  Bonus:  It's a complete meal, so you don't need to prepare any side dishes.


Adapted from Allrecipes's Delicious Black Bean Burritos
(where it was given 4.5 stars out of 966 reviews, so you know it's good)

2 packages of Cedar's Spinach Wraps (or your favorite wrap/burrito shell)
4 tbsp canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 bell pepper (I use yellow because it's healthiest), chopped
2 tsp diced garlic (or 4 cloves)
1 can of chipotle chilis in adobo sauce (or chopped jalapenos work too)
2 15 oz cans black beans (get the GOYA ones - lowest sodium content)
2 15 oz cans of diced tomatoes OR if you like spice, substitute one can for Rotel tomatoes with cilantro and lime - just be careful not to overdo the chipotles/jalapenos
6 oz low-fat cream cheese (neufchatel cheese)
low-fat sour cream to top
salsa to top
fresh cilantro to garnish

Directions:

Heat oil in skillet.  Add onion and bell pepper.  Saute 5 minutes then add the garlic.  Continue sauteeing until tender (I usually do a good 15 minutes as I prepare the rest of the recipe).



Add 2-3 chipotle peppers from the can, diced (or add jalapeno to taste).  This is just to add a kick.  Do not add the entire can of chipotle peppers - WAY too spicy.

Chipotles in Adobo Sauce - Mexican Aisle
My fave wraps for this recipe.
Add the black beans - do not drain.  Black beans are one of the best things you can eat for heart health because (like most beans) they are high in soluble fiber, which is hard to come by and which is the only type of fiber that actually helps lower cholesterol.  See the "Tips & Tricks" blog entry for a lengthier explanation.  The juice in the can contains additional soluble fiber, so don't ever rinse and drain black beans even if a recipe calls for it.  That stuff is liquid gold!

Add the tomatoes, drained.  Stir.  Simmer for however long you can; it will reduce down and become thicker.

Near the end, add the low-fat cream cheese, cut into chunks.  Stir until it's melted and mixed in.
This meal makes a ton so the sat. fat in the low-fat cream cheese isn't as bad as it looks.

Finished product.
Heat the wraps.  Fill with the black bean mixture.  Fold up.  Top with low-fat sour cream, salsa, and fresh cilantro.

Enjoy!

2 comments:

  1. Finally had a chance to try this tonight and you were so right... it's DELICIOUS! So good you feel bad eating it Hard to believe it's heart-healthy. YUM. Can't wait to try more of your recipes. Please keep posting!! :)

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    1. Aaaah thanks so much! So glad you could enjoy it :) We also just had it again for dinner tonight... I really love this recipe SO much!

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