Minted Yucatan Black Beans

This is a delightful and sophisticated dish. The combination of mint and goat cheese is amazing, and makes the beans really sparkle. It is important to use dried beans as opposed to using canned or dehydrated. Although it will take longer to complete the dish, it makes a huge difference.

• Prepare the recipe for basic refried beans using black turtle beans
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 4 springs fresh mint stems removed and cut into thin ribbons
• 1/4 pound fresh goat cheese
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• sea salt to taste
• 1/2 cup plus 4 tablespoons olive oil

In a large heavy bottomed skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the cumin, oregano and sea salt, and heat until smoking.
Add the pureed beans and 1/2 cup olive oil cooking, and stirring constantly, until the beans are glossy and thick.
In a separate skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of oil and add the onion and sauté until translucent. Add the mint and cook for about 30 seconds, or until it is wilted.
Mix the onion and mint mixture into the beans and pour into a serving bowl. Crumble the goat cheese and poke it into the bean mixture. Serve warm with tortillas or corn chips.

Mint Facts

• Mint, while widely known as a flavoring for candy and toothpaste, has many medicinal purposes. The menthol in peppermint soothes the lining of the digestive tract, and aids digestion by increasing the production of bile.
• Menthol vapors relieve nasal, sinus and chest congestion.
• Peppermint has a calming, sedative effect on the nervous system.

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