Easy Black Bean Tacos

makes 10 tacos

INGREDIENTS

• Refried black beans
• 2 cans black beans, or 3 cups cooked black beans
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

Yogurt “crema”

• 1 cup plain Greek or regular yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lime juice (from 1 small lime)
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

Optional: Your favorite hot sauce, to taste (or just serve it on the side with your tacos/I love Tabasco’s chipotle hot sauce)

Everything else

• 8 to 10 small corn or flour tortillas (I think I like flour better)
• 3 cups finely sliced red or green cabbage (about ½ medium head of cabbage)
• ½ cup or more crumbled Cotija or feta cheese
• Big handful of fresh cilantro leaves and/or thinly sliced green onion

METHOD

To make the black beans: We’re going to use the cooking liquid from one can of beans (or substitute ⅓ cup water for the cooking liquid). Rinse and drain the other can of beans. Once the beans are ready to go, warm the olive oil in small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the cumin, garlic and salt. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Pour in the can of beans with all of its liquid (or ⅓ cup water). Stir to combine. Mash up a portion of the beans with a potato masher or serving fork. Cook for a few minutes, stirring often, until the mixture reaches a simmer. Mash up the beans once more, then add the rinsed and drained beans.

Stir to combine. Simmer for a few minutes, then reduce the heat to a bare minimum while we finish the remaining ingredients. Cover the pot, and stir it every few minutes so the beans don’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

To make the “crema”: Combine the yogurt, lime juice and salt in a small bowl. Stir to combine. If desired, add hot sauce, to taste. Set aside.

Warm the tortillas in a large skillet over medium heat in batches, flipping to warm each side. Alternatively, you can warm them directly over a low flame on a gas range. Stack the warmed tortillas on a plate and cover with a tea towel to keep warm.

Soften the cabbage just a bit by sprinkling it with a couple dashes of salt. Then use your hands to “massage” it by scrunching up handfuls of cabbage until it is slightly wilted and fragrant.

Finally, assemble your tacos: Spread a layer of beans down the center of each tortilla, followed by a small handful of cabbage, a generous drizzle of sauce, and sprinkles of cheese and cilantro and/or green onion. Serve immediately.

Image and recipe by @cookieandkate cookieandkate.com/easy-black-bean-tacos-recipe