*  Exported from  MasterCook  Buster  *

                       Black Bean Sandwich Torte

Recipe By     : Elaine Kosrova, "Healthy Living", Oct 1998
Serving Size  : 8    Preparation Time :
Categories    : Vegetarian                       Dips

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                       Black Bean Spread:
 15      oz            Can black beans --
                       - drained, rinsed
  1      tb            Olive oil
  3      cl            Garlic -- chopped
    1/2  ts            Dried oregano
    1/4  ts            Crushed red pepper
  1      tb            Balsamic vinegar
    1/4  ts            Salt
                       Bread & Fillings:
  2      lg            Fresh lavash or pita
                       - (10 to 12" pieces)
  2      c             Fresh arugula leaves -- rinsed
  4      oz            Feta cheese -- crumbled
    1/2  sm            Red onion -- thinly sliced
  3      md            Ripe tomatoes (12 oz) --
                       - sliced 1/2" thick

Black Bean Spread:

Place the black beans in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a
chopping blade. In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium heat;
add the garlic, oregano, and red pepper. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the
garlic mixture, including all the oil in pan, to the beans. Add the
vinegar and salt; process until mixture is almost a smooth puree. Set
aside. Spread can be made ahead and refrigerated for several days.

Assemble Torte:

Fit a 22" long piece of aluminum foil into a 9" square baking pan, so
that foil covers the bottom and evenly overhangs opposite sides of
pan. Cut out a 9" square from one piece of lavash, reserving
trimmings. Fit the lavash into foil-lined pan, then top with the
trimmings, arranging them as evenly as possible.

Preheat oven to 250°F. Spoon Black Bean Spread evenly over lavash in
pan. Top with layers of arugula, feta, red onion, and tomato. Cut out
another 9" square from remaining lavash and place over tomato layer.

Fold in the overhanging sides of the foil to cover the torte. Bake
for 15 minutes to warm.

To serve, remove the torte from pan by lifting foil ends. With a
spatula, slide torte off foil onto cutting surface. With serrated
knife, cut into quarters; cut each quarter diagonally in half and
serve.

Notes:

Fresh lavash, also known as "shepherd's bread," tastes similar to
pita bread but is thinner and larger in size and can be found in
specialty-food stores. If unavailable, substitute Afghan bread, large
flour tortillas, or packaged thin-crust pizza dough such as Boboli.
Black beans are rich in phytoestrogens, which may reduce the risk of
breast cancer, cool down the symptoms of menopause, slow
osteoporosis, and inhibit heart disease. Black beans are a great
source of high-quality protein, especially for vegetarians. Black
beans supply a lot minerals, including copper, iron, magnesium,
phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. A good source of folic acid, black
beans can help protect against birth defects.

Recipe FROM: Country Living, Oct 1998, p.112

Typed by: K. Hudson Lipin, Sep 5, 1998


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