White Bean Dip

I really wish there was another name for this dip.  It's a lot like hummus and very creamy, like it has dairy in it, but it doesn't.  White Bean Dip just sounds so boring.  Maybe AMAZING White Bean Dip?

Ingredients
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh Italian parsley leaves
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions
- Combine ingredients in food processor until smooth.

Hints
- You may use different types of fresh herbs in this dip but it's important to use fresh parsley as opposed to dried, it affects the color, texture and flavor.
- Serve with warm flat bread

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

INGREDIENTS
1-1/2 cups quinoa
1-1/2 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1-1/2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1-1/2 cups cooked corn (fresh, canned or frozen)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
4 scallions, chopped
1 tsp. garlic, minced fine
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped fine
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/3 cup olive oil

DIRECTIONS
- Rinse quinoa in a fine sieve under cold running water until water runs clear.
- Put quinoa in a pot with 2-1/4 cups water.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 20 minutes or until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
- Fluff quinoa with a fork and transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool.
- While quinoa is cooking, in a small bowl toss beans with vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.
- Add beans, corn, bell pepper, scallions, garlic, cayenne and coriander to the quinoa. Toss well.
- In a small bowl whisk together lime juice, salt, cumin and add oil in a stream while whisking. Drizzle over salad and toss well with salt and pepper. Salad may be made a day ahead and refrigerated, covered. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Submitted by Rachel

Black Bean Pizza

Ingredients
6 to 8 ounces of shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 can black beans
Chopped, drained tomatoes
1 pre-made pizza crust (or make your own)

Directions
- Spread HALF the cheese over the prepared crust.
- Top with beans that have been rinsed and drained.
- Add the remaining cheese and top with chopped tomatoes.
- Bake at 425 degrees until hot and lightly browned.

Hints
- For a lower-fat/calorie version use reduced fat cheese.
- This recipe tastes great on a Boboli pizza crust.

Submitted by Carol