10,000 flack recipes

Black Forest ice cream cake: two layers of moist chocolate-coffee cake sandwich a slab of vanilla ice cream, frosted with whipped cream and crowned with cherry pie filling. A frozen showstopper.

Classic New York black and white cookies: soft cake-like rounds half-frosted with vanilla fondant and half with chocolate. Bakery-style recipe with traditional warm fondant icing.

Black and white bean vegetable chili simmers black beans, great northern beans, corn, potato, and green chiles in a quick cumin broth. A 45-minute meatless chili finished with cilantro and lime.

Vegetarian black bean chili made from scratch with dried beans, green chiles, and cumin, topped with a sharp red onion, tomato, and cilantro salsa. Slow-simmered for deep flavor.

Chinese-style tofu stir-fried with salted black beans, mashed red beans, garlic, green chili, and soy sauce. A savory, protein-rich vegetarian main dish.

Santa Fe black bean cakes made from scratch with dried black beans, bacon, serrano chiles, ancho powder, and cumin. Pan-fried until crisp and served with sour cream and salsa.

Layered black bean salad built on slow-cooked dried beans and tri-color peppers, marinated in a cooked garlic vinaigrette, then layered with sour cream and salsa. A make-ahead potluck winner.

Smoky black bean chili pulls together canned black beans, tomatoes, and salsa with chili powder, oregano, and a splash of liquid smoke. A fast vegetarian chili ready in under 30 minutes.

Beer-marinated flank steak with soy, lime, and brown sugar bathing overnight, then hitting hot grates for a caramelized crust. Sliced thin across the grain for tender, beer-smoky strips that beat any expensive cut.

Black bean soup with cumin, slow-simmered with onion, garlic, carrots, and celery then pureed smooth. Garnished with chopped egg and scallions.

An unexpected chilled soup featuring black olives simmered in chicken stock with cream, egg, dry sherry, and a dash of steak sauce. Briny, creamy, and utterly sophisticated.

Florida Keys black bean dip blended with balsamic vinegar, orange juice, red onion, and garlic. No-cook, five ingredients, ready in minutes.

Korean style flank steak marinated in soy sauce, sesame seeds, garlic, ginger, and dark corn syrup. Broiled and sliced thin for a savory, caramelized finish.

One-bowl black bean casserole with cornmeal, sweet corn, tomatoes, and mild green chiles baked until set. Lacto-vegetarian, low-fat, and simple enough for a busy weeknight.

A no-cook Southern-style salad with black-eyed peas, chopped ham, celery, red onion, and fresh jalapeño in a tangy red wine vinegar dressing. Ready in minutes, feeds a crowd, and gets better as it sits.

I was surprised at how good this was. I will add fresh cilantro next time, and fresh veggies such as corn and green onion, celery. Was not spicy enough for my taste, so maybe add jalepeno next time as well. I enjoy this recipe!