"Potato salad with a Texas flare - I get many requests to bring this to picnics. Nice blend of potatoes, black beans, green onions, bacon, and jalapenos. Sometimes I sprinkle dried crushed red hot peppers over top for color and taste."

"In Concord, California, Maureen De Garmo assembles this pleasant pasta medley that's brimming with ham, corn and black beans. 'If you'd like, you can thicken the juices with cornstarch to make a sauce,' she adds."

"This is my version of a traditional Brazilian black bean stew that maintains the rich smoky, flavors famous in Brazil. Additional meats, including sausage, may be added if desired. This is excellent served over brown rice."

"A yummy soup that even picky kids will love! Red beans and black beans are mildly seasoned and simmered in vegetable broth. With these ingredients this is a healthy vegetarian soup with a complete protein. If you add the chili powder, leave out the maple syrup. It totally changes the taste. Garnish with sour cream, green onions and tortilla chips for a festive meal. This is great served with cornbread."

"Layered tortillas baked with black beans, green onions, cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses, and corn make this a tasty, easy and filling meal."

"Pinto, black and Great Northern beans combined with corn, red peppers and avocados make for colorful dip or a unique burger topping. Serve as salsa with tortilla chips or as a topper for hot dogs and burgers."

"Black beans, cheese, bell peppers, onion and spices baked between 2 pie crusts."

"Agnes Hamilton of Scott Depot, West Virginia uses convenient canned pinto, black and great northern beans to speed up preparation of her hearty chili. The one-dish meal has a stew-like consistency and a peppy Tex-Mex flavor."

"A delicious vegetarian lasagna using corn tortillas instead of lasagna noodles, layered with salsa, black beans, cheese, and guacamole."