We had the chance to go to Costa Rica for spring break this year and learned MANY wonderful things about our amazing, beautiful planet, we learned how to surf AND we ate some INCREDIBLE meals. One night we had a black bean dip as an appetizer and my 8 year old proclaimed, "MOM! You HAVE to learn how to make beans like this!!" Game on!

I spent the next couple of days trying to intercept the chef to figure out what she had done. Finally, I cornered her and got an answer that was both thrilling and disappointing. The thrilling part: the recipe was super easy to make! The disappointing part: there was one ingredient not sold in US supermarkets, Lizano salsa.

Fortunately, I found one blog where the writer has recreated the salsa (and a funny post to boot!) AND there are plenty of options online of specialty stores. You can also find this goodness on Amazon. If you live near any ethnic markets, check it out yourself. As for me, I stopped by a grocery store on the way to the airport to leave Costa Rica (this is where I learned that their dogs can wander anywhere they want!)When you get your lizano sauce, here's what you need:

1 can black beans, drained
1/2 cup red onion (raw or sauteed depending on how strong you want the onion flavor)
1/4 bunch of cilantro, chopped (feel free to use the stems)
2-3 garlic cloves
1/4 cup Lizano salsa

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Then, combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.Taste and adjust seasonings until your mouth is happy! Pour into a small cast iron skillet or small baking dish.Bake for 30 minutes or until hot throughout.Serve with tortilla chips to all of the hungry surfers in your life!This dish may not look like much, but trust me, it's worth all of the effort to find the Lizano sauce. Nom! Nom!

Costa Rica Black Bean Dip