Sunday, January 19, 2014

Black Bean Salsa with Cream Cheese Dip

Hi friends!  I hope you're having a great day!  We are doing pretty good around here.

Today, I'm sharing a recipe with you and can I just say I'm horrible at naming recipes?  This recipe is an adaptation from a Pampered Chef recipe called Black Bean Salsa Dip (I found this recipe online) from probably 8 years ago.  Pampered Chef has some GREAT recipes, if you haven't picked up a cookbook from them you should.  They have a tiny one called Season's Best that's only $2 and it's a great way to try them.  (I have no affiliation with Pampered Chef, BTW.)  This dip is a HUGE hit at parties!  It's VERY yummy and great with tortilla chips.
Black Bean Salsa with Cream Cheese Dip

2 packs of low fat cream cheese (room temp)
3/4 cup of low fat mayonnaise
3 tablespoons of Pampered Chef Southwest Seasoning (I've used Mrs Dash too, but the PC is the best)
1 jar of Southwest salsa (the kind with black beans and corn)
1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can of corn (drained)
3 cloves of garlic, pressed
Lime Juice to taste (optional)
Cilantro (optional)

1. Take your room temp cream cheese and mix it with the mayo and seasoning.
2. Spread this mixture in a 13x9 pan, coming up the sides a bit.  Chill.  I like to give these at least a couple hours for the flavors to marry and the mixture to firm up a bit.
3. In a bowl, combine black beans, salsa, corn, garlic, and lime juice.
4. Pour this mixture over chilled cream cheese mixture and serve with tortilla chips.  Refrigerate leftovers and eat quickly because the cream cheese will begin to break after a day or so.

Let me know if you try this recipe.  Perhaps you can add it to your "Big Game" appetizers.  Have a great day, friends!