Spicy Black Bean Loaf with Mango Salsa
Easter Sunday is this weekend which means there will be lots of hunting for eggs, eating chocolate bunnies and roasting baby lambs.
How do I know this? Because yesterday at work I overheard one of the radiologists calling to check the status of the entire lamb he ordered to have butchered. As soon as he hung up the phone, I popped my head around the corner and gave him the side-eye. Then he tried to defend himself by saying that it had a really nice life on an open pasture in Sonoma. Um no, it’s still not okay. Poor wittle wamb.
SO now that I’ve gone all Debbie Downer on you, let’s switch gears and talk about lambless dinner alternatives, shall we?
This black bean loaf would make a great option to serve if you have animal-lovers like myself coming to your party. It’s easy to make, completely vegan, and it’s packed with awesome spicay flavah.
It’s similar to the taste and texture of a veggie burger but without the need for a bun. Because sometimes I’m just not in the mood for the extra carbs, you know?
Psych! Yeah right. I’m always in the mood for ALL the carbs.
My love handles feel differently though, especially with the warm weather right around the corner so we’re lightening things up a bit with a loaf.
The black bean loaf is really good but my favorite part is definitely the mango salsa. I just love the creamy texture of mangoes and they taste amazing with fresh lime juice, green onions, and a little cilantro.
Plus it takes all of five minutes to throw together and you can do it while the loaf is baking. Multi-tasking FTW.
The spicy, garlicky flavor of the loaf goes so well with the tropical-style salsa and it’s sure to be on our menu again soon.
I think next time I might mash up the loaf and put it in a taco then top it with the mango salsa and some kind of yogurt sauce. Tortillas don’t count as carbs, right?
Ingredients
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 small yellow onion or 1/2 large
2 jalapenos
3 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
salt & pepper
1/2 cup whole grain panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free, if necessary)
2 tablespoons cornmeal
1 tablespoon ground flax seed + 3 tablespoons water
Mango Salsa
2 large mangoes, diced
6 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
juice of 2 limes
Instructions
- Start by preheating the oven to 350°F and then line a loaf pan with two pieces of parchment paper, lying in opposite directions. Combine the flax seed and water in a small bowl or measuring cup and then set it aside to thicken.
- Next place the jalapeno and the garlic in a food processor and blend until minced. Then add the onion and blend for a few seconds until slightly chunky.
- Reserve 1 cup of the black beans in a large bowl and then add the rest to the food processor with the veggies. Pulse until the beans are lightly mashed then transfer the mixture to the large bowl.
- Add the cumin, smoked paprika, tomato paste, tamari, and breadcrumbs to the bowl along with the flax seed mixture and stir everything together. Sprinkle in two tablespoons of cornmeal and salt & pepper to taste and continue to mix until well-combined. Transfer the black bean mixture to the loaf pan and use the back of a spoon to press it down and smooth the surface. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile make the mango salsa by adding all of the ingredients to a bowl and stirring together.
- When the loaf is done, allow it cool for 10 minutes or so then use the parchment paper to lift it out of the pan. Cut it into 6 separate pieces and serve with mango salsa. Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Oh no, poor lamb!! I love that he was ready to tell you how happy of a life it lived :) This looks like a much tastier alternative to me too – I’ll try it once I get my hands on some fresh mango.
Yum!!! I LOVE bean loaves, so this WILL be happening :)
Poor wittle wamb is right. This loaf looks yummy, but I will surely consume some form of meat on Easter Sunday! hhhehe:) And carbs too. Many carbs. Happy Friday, Sarah!
I’m glad you at least gave your co-worker the sad eyes to let him know how you felt! I probably would have just internalized my sympathy for the lamb. That really does break my heart! This does sound like a GREAT alternative. I love me some black beans – I actually have some kicking around in the freezer so this is a great option for their use ;) Have a great Easter weekend! I just picked Nia up some yummy vegan Easter treats today for Sunday!
MMM…I know I’d love this. Reminds me of my Black Bean Mango Tacos with Coconut Cream Sauce: http://www.madeinsonoma.com/2013/06/black-bean-mango-tacos-with-coconut-cream-sauce.html
I made this before I took sugar out of my diet, so I’d switch the sugar for honey, but you should definitely try these! You’d love them, Sarah!
Oh yeah, those tacos look awesome!!
I can just picture you giving your co-worker the side eye! Made me smile :)
This loaf looks awesome – I made your lentil one a while back and I love the sound of this – especially that salsa! Love mango anything!
Out of all the vegetarian items out there, back bean burgers are hands-down my favorite, so I KNOW I would love this!! Plus, mango salsa.
Hi…looks yummy! If i want to make this vegetarian and use egg(s) instead of the flax “egg” in the recipe, would you suggest using 1 or 2 eggs? Thanks…:)
Hey Jerilyn! I think 1 egg would work best in place of the flax egg. Let me know if you end up giving it a try! :)
Uhm. I’d very much take your lambless alternative, thank.you.very.much. That’s just awful. And I’m seriously loving your idea of mashing up the loaf and using it in a taco… I can’t honestly say that I’ve ever had anything that resembled meatloaf before, but tacos? Tacos I can definitely do. Especially with salsa. And guac. Ohhhh hold me…
This looks perfect with the mango salsa! I love a good meatless loaf. :)
I’m all about eating lots of good carbs too! But we pretty much follow the same diet so you already know that :)
I hear you, I get SO SAD when I think about all of the animals that are butchered on holidays (oh, and pretty much every other day of the year). I’ve never eaten lamb in my entire life…. poor cute little babies!
Beautiful and healthy loaf!
Sometimes I think the world is crazy and unfair. I was having my lunch at work with colleagues when someone asked about my vegetarianism. I passionately explained my reasons for it but also stressed that I am very tolerant with who doesn’t embrace a meatless diet. Despite my peaceful speech I was ridiculed because “after all eating meat is like having sex”. Meh. I suspect you have nicer colleagues… :)
That’s a shame that your colleagues ridicule you for your choices. I don’t judge others either but I couldn’t help saying something to him when I heard that. It was just so sad!
But I used to get made fun of when I lived in Texas because it was a small, meat-loving city so I can understand how you feel. Thankfully most people I’ve come in to contact in California are more progressive because there is such a melting pot of cultures and diets.
Let’s face it – people need to justify why they eat animals…there’s no need to sacrifice a lamb for Easter in 2015!! {sigh}. :-/ Good for you – glad that you were able to be inspired and come up with this recipe. I haven’t had meatloaf in forever (my mom made me eat it as a kid). But I want to eat this!! :) Hope you have a great Easter!
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