Did you know Cinco de Mayo isn’t celebrated nation-wide in Mexico? It’s only a holiday in the state of Puebla. But we’ll take any excuse we can get to drink margaritas and indulge in some delicious Mexican food. Pinto beans are a staple of the Mexican diet, showing up as a side dish or a hearty filling in tacos, burritos and enchiladas. But sometimes you can get a little more creative with your Mexican bean recipes, capturing the authentic flavors of Mexico in a new and interesting way. Try these recipes on Cinco de Mayo and tell us how they were!
Mexican Pinto Bean Soup with Avocado Salsa
Spices form the base for this complex vegetarian bean soup. Coriander, cumin, cayenne pepper and smoked paprika work together with fresh chilies for a bright, spicy note, while deep dark chocolate gives the soup a richness and mystery no one will quite be able to figure out. Don’t worry, it’s not sweet–the chocolate gives just a hint of bitterness. Creamy pinto beans pair well with the mix of flavors, and just a bit of fatty avocado on the top gives the soup a silken texture.
Mexican Pinto Bean Falafel
Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern dish, usually made with chickpeas. But this interesting includes mashed pinto beans bound together with crushed tortilla chips and Monterey jack cheese. Form it into patties and shallow fry before tucking them into soft pitas with a delicious guacamole spread. It’s crunchy, creamy and a lot of fun.
Pinto Bean Mexican Pizza
Pizza and Mexican food–two great tastes that go great together? They do in this fun little Mexican pizza. Simply mash pinto beans and spread on pizza dough, topping with your favorite pizza fixings. This recipes calls for vegan products, but you can easily substitute the real McCoy.
The best part about all of these recipes? They’re all 100 percent vegetarian. But no one has to know. Just slide these onto the table come May 5 and your family will love your Mexican flair.
This recipe can be made with either Randall Great Northern Beans or the Randall Organic Great Northern Bean products.
