Rich and Silky Beans with Nachos

    15m prep time
    50m total time
    Easy level
    16 ingredients

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
  • 2tbsp Olive Oil 1 x Sainsbury's Olive Oil 1L
  • 1 Red Pepper, deseeded and finely diced 1 x Sainsbury's Red Pepper
  • 1tsp Cumin Seeds 1 x Sainsbury's Cumin Seed 38g
  • 1 Red Onion, finely diced 1 x Sainsbury's Red Onions Loose
  • 2tsp Smoked Paprika 1 x Sainsbury's Smoked Paprika 44g
  • 1tsp Ground Cinnamon 1 x Sainsbury's Ground Cinnamon 38g
  • 1 tbsp Raw Cacao 1 x Food Thoughts Organic Cacao Powder 125g
  • 50g Queso Fresco Or Light Feta, crumbled 1 x Stamford Street Co. Greek Style Salad Cheese 200g
  • 2tsp Raw Honey 1 x Sainsbury's Runny Honey 340g
  • 150g Corn Tortilla Baked Chips 1 x Stamford Street Co. Tortilla Chips 200g
  • 50g Baby Tomatoes, halved 1 x Sainsbury's Baby Plum Tomatoes 325g
  • 5 Garlic Cloves, thinly sliced 1 x Sainsbury's Garlic
  • 1 Avocado, halved, stoned, and sliced thinly 1 x By Sainsbury’s Large Ripe & Ready Avocado
  • 1 Lime, zest and juice 1 x Sainsbury's Limes x1
  • 1 Tin Black Beans 1 x Sainsbury's Black Beans in Water 400g (235g*)
  • 250g Cooked Beluga Lentils 1 x Merchant Gourmet Microwave Ready to eat Beluga Lentils 250g
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