Creamy Crab and Artichoke Dip

Splurge on fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this tasty dip or, for a less expensive option, use pasteurized “special” crabmeat from the canned seafood aisle (Boss or Chicken of the Sea are good brands). Serve with toast points or water crackers.

• 8 oz. crème fraîche
• 4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
• 2 medium cloves garlic
• 9 oz. thawed frozen artichoke hearts, gently squeezed dry
• 1/3 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/3 cup using a rasp grater)
• 2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 lb. crabmeat, picked through for shells, drained, and excess liquid squeezed out if canned, or lightly shredded if fresh
• Kosher salt

Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Heat the crème fraîche and cream cheese in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet or flameproof baking dish over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and bubbling, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, chop the garlic. Add the artichoke hearts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce; pulse until coarsely chopped. Stir the crab and the artichoke mixture into the hot crème fraîche mixture and season to taste with salt. Broil until browned, about 3 minutes; serve from the baking dish or skillet (with a kitchen towel wrapped around the handle).

Warm Chicken Pâté

It’s not traditional to serve chicken liver pâté warm, but it’s undeniably delicious. This decadent recipe uses both chicken livers and thighs for a milder flavor. Serve with toast points, crackers, or crudités.

• Vegetable oil, for the pan
• 10 oz. boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2)
• 4 oz. chicken livers
• 1/2 medium yellow onion
• 3 Tbs. amontillado sherry
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
• 1-1/2 tsp. dried sage

Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Lightly oil a large rimmed baking sheet.

Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch chunks and arrange in a single layer on the sheet. Halve the chicken livers, and thinly slice the yellow onion; transfer both to the sheet with the chicken. Drizzle with 2 Tbs. of the sherry and season with 1 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Broil until all are browned, the chicken and liver are cooked through, and the onions are soft, 5 to 6 minutes.

Meanwhile, put the butter, sage, and the remaining 1 Tbs. sherry in a food processor. Add the chicken, livers, and onion and process to a coarse purée, about 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Hummus with Mellow Garlic & Cumin

Tahini blends with chickpeas, lemon, olive oil, and garlic to become the well-known Middle Eastern dip and spread known as hummus. Homemade hummus is simple to make, and it tastes much better than the mediocre and overpriced stuff sold in supermarkets. To avoid the most common pitfall of homemade hummus— way too much raw garlic—I like to gently cook the garlic in the olive oil first so it mellows and infuses the oil. Cumin and a touch of soy sauce give the hummus a savory edge. Serve with seedless cucumber rounds or pita chips or triangles for dipping.

• 1/3 cup plus 1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 2 15-1/2-oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 Tbs. tahini
• 3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice; more to taste
• 1 Tbs. soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; more as needed

Combine the 1/3 cup oil with the garlic and cumin in a small saucepan. Set over medium-low heat and cook until the garlic softens, about 3 minutes from when you can hear the garlic bubbling quickly. Don’t let the garlic brown. Take the pan off the heat and let cool completely.

Put the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, soy sauce, and salt in a food processor. Use a fork to fish the softened garlic out of the oil and transfer it to the processor (reserve the oil). Turn the machine on, let it run for about 20 seconds, and then start slowly pouring the cumin oil through the machine’s feed tube. Be sure to scrape the pan with a rubber spatula to get all of the cumin and oil. Pour 1/4 cup cool water down the tube. Stop the machine, scrape the sides of the bowl, and continue processing until the hummus is creamy and almost smooth. Season to taste with more salt and lemon juice, if you like. For best results, let the hummus sit at room temperature for an hour or two before serving so the flavors can meld. Or better yet, make it a day ahead, refrigerate it and return it to room temperature and adjust the seasonings before serving. To serve, spread hummus in a shallow dish and drizzle with the remaining 1 Tbs. oil.

Guacamole with Roasted Chile, Cumin, and Feta

Rather than the expected jalapeño, this recipe uses roasted poblano or New Mexico chile for a more rounded flavor. A pinch of cumin, crumbled feta, and crisp slivered radishes flatter the avocado as well.

• 1 small fresh green New Mexico or poblano chile
• 1 medium lime
• 3 medium firm-ripe avocados (6 to 7 oz. each), pitted and peeled
• 3 medium scallions, white and light-green parts only, chopped
• 5 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin, preferably freshly ground
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup medium-diced fresh tomato
• 2 radishes, slivered (about 2 Tbs.)
• 1 Tbs. crumbled feta
• Store bought or homemade corn tortilla chips, for serving

On a gas stove, turn a burner to high and set the chile directly over the flame, turning it with tongs, until completely charred, 5 to 8 minutes. Alternatively, on an electric stove, heat the broiler on high and char the chile on a baking sheet placed directly under the broiler. Put the chile in a bowl, cover, and set aside to steam and loosen the skin. When cool enough to handle, peel, seed, and finely chop.


Finely grate the zest from the lime and then squeeze the juice. Put the avocado in a bowl and coarsely mash with a potato masher. Stir in the lime zest and 2 Tbs. of the lime juice along with the scallions, cilantro, cumin, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Season to taste with salt and lime juice, and then fold in the chile and tomato.


Heap the guacamole into a bowl and garnish it with the radishes and feta. Serve with tortilla chips.

Cilantro-Lime Guacamole

Taste your guacamole as you're making it. Avocados can take a fair amount of lime juice and cilantro, but since both of these ingredients can vary in strength, it's a good idea to taste as you go.

• 2 medium-size ripe avocados
• 2 to 3 Tbs. fresh lime juice
• 3/4 tsp. kosher salt; more to taste
• 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
• Pinch ground cumin
• 3 to 4 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp. minced fresh jalapeño 

Halve the avocados, pit them, and scoop the flesh with a large spoon into a small mixing bowl. Sprinkle the 2 Tbs. lime juice over the avocados, add the salt, coriander, and cumin, and use a wooden spoon to break up the avocados, stirring until they're coarsely mashed. Stir in 3 Tbs. of the cilantro and the jalapeño. Taste and add more lime juice, cilantro, and salt as needed. Transfer to a small serving bowl and serve with tortilla chips.

Creamy Crab and Artichoke Dip

Splurge on fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this tasty dip or, for a less expensive option, use pasteurized “special” crabmeat from the canned seafood aisle (Boss or Chicken of the Sea are good brands). Serve with toast points or water crackers.

• 8 oz. crème fraîche
• 4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
• 2 medium cloves garlic
• 9 oz. thawed frozen artichoke hearts, gently squeezed dry
• 1/3 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/3 cup using a rasp grater)
• 2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 lb. crabmeat, picked through for shells, drained, and excess liquid squeezed out if canned, or lightly shredded if fresh
• Kosher salt

Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Heat the crème fraîche and cream cheese in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet or flameproof baking dish over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and bubbling, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, chop the garlic. Add the artichoke hearts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce; pulse until coarsely chopped. Stir the crab and the artichoke mixture into the hot crème fraîche mixture and season to taste with salt. Broil until browned, about 3 minutes; serve from the baking dish or skillet (with a kitchen towel wrapped around the handle).

Strawberry-Peppercorn Butter

This sweet and savory butter is great on toast, biscuits, waffles, or scones. Multicolored peppercorns add some extra color and have a mellower flavor than black peppercorns, but black will work, too.

• 4 oz. (1/2 cup) room-temperature salted butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped strawberries
• 1/2 tsp. coarsely cracked multicolored peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on high until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Lower the speed to medium and beat in the strawberries, peppercorns, and thyme until just incorporated, about 30 seconds.

Lebanese Grilled Eggplant Dip

Serve this rich, smoky dip with pita chips, crackers, or crudités. If you don’t have any za’atar (a Middle Eastern spice blend), you can substitute 1/4 tsp. dried thyme.

• 1 large eggplant, trimmed and sliced lengthwise into 6 1/2-inch-thick slices
• 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil; more for brushing
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp. za’atar
• Aleppo pepper or paprika

Prepare a medium-high (425°F to 450°F) gas or charcoal grill fire. Brush the eggplant slices with oil and season with salt and pepper.

Grill the eggplant until grill marks form on one side, about 3 minutes. Flip the slices and continue to grill until the eggplant is tender, about 2 minutes more.

Put the eggplant in a  food processor with the tahini, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, za’atar, remaining 1 Tbs. oil, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Pulse until well combined; there should be very small pieces of eggplant visible.

Season to taste with more salt and let sit for at least 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Garnish with a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper or paprika.

Fava Bean Purée

This purée is terrific on crostini, but you can also use it as a dip for vegetables, pita chips, or bread. Like other starchy purées, this will stiffen a bit after it sits, so if using as a dip, you may want to add a little extra olive oil or lemon juice, or just a spoonful of water to loosen it. The purée will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil; more for drizzling
• 2 large cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 lb. fava beans, shelled and peeled (see directions in the article "Fresh Favas") to yield 2 cups
• 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice; more to taste

Put a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup of the oil, the garlic, rosemary or thyme, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper and cook until you begin to hear a sizzling sound and the aromatics are fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the fava beans. Stir until the beans are well coated with the oil and aromatics and then add 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the water has nearly evaporated and the fava beans are tender, about 12 minutes. Add more water if the pan looks dry before the favas are done. Remove from the heat.

Transfer the fava mixture to a food processor. Add the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil and the lemon juice and purée until smooth, stopping to scrape the bowl as needed. Season to taste with more salt and lemon juice. Drizzle with a little olive oil before serving.

Raw Asparagus Pesto

This bright-green, fresh-tasting pesto is perfect for spreading on sandwiches, tossing with hot pasta, or slathering on crostini.

• 1 small to medium clove garlic
• 12 oz. asparagus, trimmed of tough, woody stems, and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 1 Tbs. fresh oregano, packed
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Chop the garlic in a food processor. Add the asparagus to the processor with the Parmigiano-Reggiano, olive oil, pine nuts, oregano, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Purée to a thick, rustic  consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Pear, Cranberry, and Blood Orange Mostarda

Serve this punchy northern Italian condiment with roast pork, turkey, or game birds, or spread it on crostini with Robiola or Camembert cheese.

• 1 medium blood orange
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 fresh bay leaf or 1/2 dried
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 Tbs. mild honey, such as clover
• 1 Tbs. brown mustard seeds
• 1 Tbs. yellow mustard seeds
• Kosher salt
• 2 medium firm-ripe pears (preferably Bosc), peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1 cup fresh cranberries

Peel a 1x3-inch strip of zest from the orange. Trim off any white pith from the strip with a paring knife and put the zest in a 3-quart saucepan. Trim away the remaining orange peel and cut the segments free from the membranes, letting them fall into the saucepan. Squeeze the juice from the membranes into the saucepan.


Tie the rosemary and bay leaf into a cheesecloth bundle and add to the saucepan along with the wine, honey, mustard seeds, and 1 tsp. salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the honey dissolves and the flavors meld a bit, about 2 minutes.


Add the pears and cranberries and return to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is tender and the liquid is syrupy, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the heat, discard the herb bundle and zest, and let cool. Serve at room temperature. It will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week.

Chipotle Black Bean Dip

Beans provide the creaminess in this healthier-than-you-think dip, which has a smoky, spicy kick. Serve it with fresh-baked corn tortilla chips, homemade pita chips, or fresh vegetables for dipping.

• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (1/2 cup)
• 1 medium clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/8 tsp. ground coriander
• One 15-1/2-oz. can black beans (preferably low-sodium), drained and rinsed
• 2 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro; more for garnish
• 1-1/2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
• 2 tsp. seeded, minced chipotle chile (from a can of chipotles in adobo)
• Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat 1 Tbs. of the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cumin, and coriander and cook for 30 seconds more. Set aside to cool slightly.


Put the onion mixture, beans, cilantro, lime juice, chipotle, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/8 tsp. pepper, the remaining 1 Tbs. oil, and 1 Tbs. water in a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with more chopped cilantro, and serve.

For more tips on how to use up a can of chipotles in adobo, visit the Test Kitchen blog.

Hummus with Mellow Garlic & Cumin

Tahini blends with chickpeas, lemon, olive oil, and garlic to become the well-known Middle Eastern dip and spread known as hummus. Homemade hummus is simple to make, and it tastes much better than the mediocre and overpriced stuff sold in supermarkets. To avoid the most common pitfall of homemade hummus— way too much raw garlic—I like to gently cook the garlic in the olive oil first so it mellows and infuses the oil. Cumin and a touch of soy sauce give the hummus a savory edge. Serve with seedless cucumber rounds or pita chips or triangles for dipping.

• 1/3 cup plus 1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 2 15-1/2-oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 Tbs. tahini
• 3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice; more to taste
• 1 Tbs. soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; more as needed

Combine the 1/3 cup oil with the garlic and cumin in a small saucepan. Set over medium-low heat and cook until the garlic softens, about 3 minutes from when you can hear the garlic bubbling quickly. Don’t let the garlic brown. Take the pan off the heat and let cool completely.

Put the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, soy sauce, and salt in a food processor. Use a fork to fish the softened garlic out of the oil and transfer it to the processor (reserve the oil). Turn the machine on, let it run for about 20 seconds, and then start slowly pouring the cumin oil through the machine’s feed tube. Be sure to scrape the pan with a rubber spatula to get all of the cumin and oil. Pour 1/4 cup cool water down the tube. Stop the machine, scrape the sides of the bowl, and continue processing until the hummus is creamy and almost smooth. Season to taste with more salt and lemon juice, if you like. For best results, let the hummus sit at room temperature for an hour or two before serving so the flavors can meld. Or better yet, make it a day ahead, refrigerate it and return it to room temperature and adjust the seasonings before serving. To serve, spread hummus in a shallow dish and drizzle with the remaining 1 Tbs. oil.

Creamy Crab and Artichoke Dip

Splurge on fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this tasty dip or, for a less expensive option, use pasteurized “special” crabmeat from the canned seafood aisle (Boss or Chicken of the Sea are good brands). Serve with toast points or water crackers.

• 8 oz. crème fraîche
• 4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
• 2 medium cloves garlic
• 9 oz. thawed frozen artichoke hearts, gently squeezed dry
• 1/3 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/3 cup using a rasp grater)
• 2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 lb. crabmeat, picked through for shells, drained, and excess liquid squeezed out if canned, or lightly shredded if fresh
• Kosher salt

Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Heat the crème fraîche and cream cheese in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet or flameproof baking dish over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and bubbling, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, chop the garlic. Add the artichoke hearts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce; pulse until coarsely chopped. Stir the crab and the artichoke mixture into the hot crème fraîche mixture and season to taste with salt. Broil until browned, about 3 minutes; serve from the baking dish or skillet (with a kitchen towel wrapped around the handle).

Eggplant & Pepper Dip with Yogurt, Garlic & Walnuts

I prefer the texture you get when you grind with a mortar and pestle, but a food processor works well, too. This dip tastes best when made ahead; it keeps well for two to three days in the refrigerator.

• 2 small globe eggplant (a little less than 3/4 lb. each)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 small green bell pepper
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 Tbs. finely chopped walnuts
• 2 tsp. red-wine vinegar; more as needed
• 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• 1 Tbs. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley (optional)

Light a grill fire. Grill the eggplant over the open fire or gas flame, turning them frequently, until the skins are black and parched and the flesh feels soft when pierced with a fork, about 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel the charred skin and put the flesh in a colander. Sprinkle with the lemon juice and let stand for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, grill the bell pepper until it's soft and blackened on all sides, about 15 minutes. Seal the pepper in a paper bag for about 15 minutes. to cool, and peel when cool. Remove the seeds; peel and chop the flesh. Gently squeeze the liquid from the eggplant and transfer the pulp to a mortar or a food processor, along with the bell pepper and chiles. Grind or pulse to a coarse purée. Stir in the garlic, yogurt, walnuts, vinegar, and olive oil; taste and add salt and more vinegar if you like.

Mound in a serving bowl and let stand at room temperature for several hours. Garnish with minced parsley, if you like, and serve at room temperature with crusty bread, pita triangles, or crackers.

Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Dip

Charred bell peppers make a velvety base for the Mediterranean flavors of feta, dill and garlic in this tasty, good-for-you dip. Serve it with whole-grain pita wedges or toasted baguette slices brushed with olive oil and rubbed with garlic.

• 3 medium red bell peppers
• 1 medium clove garlic
• Fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta (about 3 oz.)
• 2 Tbs. plain dry breadcrumbs
• 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 Tbs. chopped fresh dill

Position a rack 5 to 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Put the peppers on a heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet and broil, turning every 5 minutes, until the skin is charred all around and the peppers have softened, about 20 minutes. Put the peppers in a large bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let sit until cool enough to handle. Remove the skins, seeds, and stems.


Peel and mince the garlic clove. With the side of a chef’s knife, mash the garlic and 1/4 tsp. salt together to form a paste.


Put the peppers, feta, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, and olive oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the garlic paste and dill. Season to taste with salt and serve.

Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Dip

Charred bell peppers make a velvety base for the Mediterranean flavors of feta, dill and garlic in this tasty, good-for-you dip. Serve it with whole-grain pita wedges or toasted baguette slices brushed with olive oil and rubbed with garlic.

• 3 medium red bell peppers
• 1 medium clove garlic
• Fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta (about 3 oz.)
• 2 Tbs. plain dry breadcrumbs
• 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 Tbs. chopped fresh dill

Position a rack 5 to 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Put the peppers on a heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet and broil, turning every 5 minutes, until the skin is charred all around and the peppers have softened, about 20 minutes. Put the peppers in a large bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let sit until cool enough to handle. Remove the skins, seeds, and stems.


Peel and mince the garlic clove. With the side of a chef’s knife, mash the garlic and 1/4 tsp. salt together to form a paste.


Put the peppers, feta, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, and olive oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the garlic paste and dill. Season to taste with salt and serve.

Green Olive & Almond Tapenade

The saltiness of your olives will determine how many anchovies you use. For best results, make the recipe in the following amount, making additional batches if you want larger quantities. It will keep for a few weeks in the refrigerator.

• 4 cups unpitted green, Mediterranean-style olives
• 4 to 6 whole salt-packed anchovies (or 10 to 12 oil-cured anchovy fillets)
• 1/4 lb. (about 1 cup) slivered almonds, toasted
• 1 Tbs. minced garlic
• 1 Tbs. capers, drained
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice (optional)
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Pit the olives with a knife; set aside. If using salt-packed anchovies, wash the ­anchovies in several changes of ­water. Separate the fillets by running a knife or your finger along the backbone; remove any large bones. Put the ­pitted olives, anchovies, almonds, garlic, capers, lemon juice, and olive oil in a food processor; process until a coarse paste forms.

It makes a tangy topping for savory tarts and pizza and is delicious tossed with pasta along with a little olive oil and some fresh goat cheese. Brennan also tucks this tapenade under the skin of a chicken breast as a flavor booster.

Warm Black Bean & Chipotle Dip

This is a great party dip that can be fully assembled up to two days ahead. Keep covered and refrigerated until ready to bake.

• 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil; more for the baking dish
• 2 medium tomatoes, cored and cut into medium dice
• 2 tsp. kosher salt; more as needed
• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbs. chili powder
• 2 15-1/2 oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained well
• 2 canned chipotles en adobo, minced (about 1 Tbs.),  plus 3 Tbs. adobo sauce
• 3 Tbs. cider vinegar
• 1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (if frozen, thaw first)
• 1-1/2 cups (6 oz.) grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1-1/2 cups (6 oz.) grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Tortilla chips for serving

Heat the oven to 425ºF. Grease a 1-1/2 qt. baking dish with oil and line a baking sheet with foil. Set the tomatoes in a colander over the sink and sprinkle with 1 tsp. of the salt.

Heat the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onion, sprinkle with 1 tsp. salt, and cook, stirring, until softened and translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and chili powder and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add half of the black beans, the chipotles and adobo sauce, and 3/4 cup water and bring to a boil. Cook until the liquid reduces by about half, 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer the bean mixture to a food processor, add the vinegar, and process until smooth. Let cool for a couple of minutes and then transfer to a large bowl. Add the rest of the beans, the tomatoes, corn, half of each of the cheeses, and 1/2 cup of the cilantro. Mix well and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Transfer to the baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake on the foil-lined baking sheet (to catch drips) until the cheese melts and browns around the edges, about 15 minutes (longer if refrigerated). Sprinkle with the remaining cilantro and serve with the tortilla chips for dipping.

Tequila-Infused Queso Fundido

In this queso fundido, the tequila not only shines through with its agave brightness, but gives the melted cheese a luscious texture. Seared salsa ingredients (tomato, onion, chile, cilantro) mingle with unctuous cheese, the whole thing shot through with that unmistakable scent of silver tequila. Queso fundido needs to be eaten as soon as it's made, either spooned into warm tortillas for soft tacos or scooped up with chips.

• 1 Tbs. olive or vegetable oil
• 1 large ripe tomato, cored, seeded (if you wish) and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1 medium white onion, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• Hot green chile(s) to taste (roughly 1 large jalapeño or 2 large serranos), stemmed, seeded (if you wish) and finely chopped
• 3 Tbs. tequila, preferably a silver tequila
• 8 oz. Mexican melting cheese (such as Chihuahua, quesadilla or asadero) or Monterey Jack, mild cheddar or brick, shredded (you'll have about 2 cups)
• 1/2 cup (loosely packed) chopped cilantro (thick bottom stems cut off)

Prepare the flavorings. Heat the oil in a large (10-inch) skillet over medium-high. Add the tomato, onion and chile(s), and cook, stirring nearly constantly, until the onion begins to soften and brown, about 7 minutes. Add the tequila and cook, stirring, for a minute or so, until reduced to a glaze. (If you tip the pan toward an open gas flame, the tequila will ignite. If you choose this route, simply shake the pan back and forth until the flames subside and the tequila has reduced to a glaze.)

Finish the queso fundido. With the skillet of tequila-infused vegetables over medium-low, sprinkle in the cheese. Stir slowly and constantly until just melted-too long over the heat and the cheese will become tough, oily and stringy. Scoop into a warm dish, sprinkle with the cilantro and serve right away with tortillas for making soft tacos or chips to dip.