My brother-in-law Justin gets all the credit for this delicious creation. There was a day, though it's hard to remember now, when I was a little hesitant to spend any time in the kitchen (unless I was making cookies!). It was this recipe that Justin once served us, and then shared the recipe, that started to change my mind. I started to realize that cooking dinner didn't have to be fancy or difficult. Shortcuts, by way of pizza crust or pita breads, were a-okay. Fresh ingredients went a long way in making a simple meal stand out.
Since those days I've obviously greatly expanded my skills in the kitchen (and, don't get me wrong, still have a long ways to go!). However, this remains one of my favorite meals. This was the first time we had it on pita breads instead of pizza crust, and it was just as good as the original.
Spinach Black Bean Pita Pizzas
adapted from brother-in-law Justin
Ingredients:
-1 can black beans
-1/2 cup fresh salsa
-1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
-2 tsp chili powder
-1 tsp cumin powder
-1/2 cup chopped onion
-1/3-1/2 cup chopped cilantro
-1-2 cups chopped fresh spinach
-4 pita breads
Directions:
1. In a small bowl, mash black beans with chili powder, cumin, cilantro, and onion until they are a paste-like consistency.
2. Spread black bean mixture over pita breads. Top with salsa, cheese, and spinach
3. Bake at 400F for 10-15 minutes, until heated through.
**Other variation: Instead of pita breads, purchase a pre-made pizza crust. Top with bean mixture and topping. Bake until heated through and cheese is melted.
