Rich and Silky Beans with Nachos

by Dr Rupy Aujla

This dish is a nod to a mole stew, the traditional dish of Oaxaca, in Mexico, which I visited during my medical elective. I’d never experienced the flavours of raw cacao and smoky chilli in a dish before. I was instantly hooked. The cacao in this bean and lentil stew gives a rich and complex sour flavour which needs a touch of honey to round it out. The benefits of cacao are vast, ranging from promoting heart health to brain-boosting properties, so I love combining it into dishes as much as possible. The extra collection of spices further adds to the anti- inflammatory properties and this makes a perfect casual meal with good-quality 100% corn tortilla baked chips. The black beans also have the highest protein content of any beans.

Method

Based on 2 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Put a large saucepan over low–medium heat and add the olive oil. Sauté the red onion, red pepper and garlic in the oil, season with salt and pepper and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until jammy and caramelised.

Step 2

Add the spices and cacao and cook for another minute before adding the beans with their liquid, lentils, honey and 200mls of hot water (if cooking for 2). Simmer for another 15 minutes to intensify the flavours.

Step 3

Scatter the tortilla chips over a platter, top with the beans, sprinkle over the lime zest and juice and crumbled cheese and serve with the diced avocado and tomatoes with a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

  • Ingredients
  • Based on 2 servings
  • 1 Red Pepper, deseeded and finely diced 1x Sainsbury's Red Pepper
  • 1tsp Ground Cinnamon 1x Sainsbury's Ground Cinnamon 38g
  • 2tsp Smoked Paprika 1x Sainsbury's Smoked Paprika 44g
  • 2tbsp Olive Oil 1x Sainsbury's Olive Oil 1L
  • 1 Red Onion, finely diced 1x Sainsbury's Red Onions Loose
  • 1tsp Cumin Seeds 1x Sainsbury's Cumin Seed 38g
  • 50g Queso Fresco Or Light Feta, crumbled 1x Stamford Street Co. Greek Style Salad Cheese 200g
  • 1 tbsp Raw Cacao 1x Food Thoughts Organic Cacao Powder 125g
  • 5 Garlic Cloves, thinly sliced 1x Sainsbury's Garlic
  • 1 Tin Black Beans 1x Sainsbury's Black Beans in Water 400g (235g*)
  • 250g Cooked Beluga Lentils 1x Merchant Gourmet Microwave Ready to eat Beluga Lentils 250g
  • 2tsp Raw Honey 1x Sainsbury's Runny Honey 340g
  • 150g Corn Tortilla Baked Chips 1x Stamford Street Co. Tortilla Chips 200g
  • 1 Avocado, halved, stoned, and sliced thinly 1x By Sainsbury’s Large Ripe & Ready Avocado
  • 50g Baby Tomatoes, halved 1x Sainsbury's Baby Plum Tomatoes 325g
  • 1 Lime, zest and juice 1x Sainsbury's Limes
Shop this recipe
Products and prices from