Mexican · side

Black Bean Sopes

Black Bean Sopes reads sourness 6.7, citrus 6.0 and heat 4.2 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Mexican side, about 15 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.

The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10

• Umami & Savory — 4.4 / 10
• Sweet & Fruity — 2.6 / 10
• Sour & Bright — 8.4 / 10
• Bitter & Earthy — 2.8 / 10
• Rich & Fat — 3.9 / 10
• Aromatic & Spice — 4.5 / 10

The measured notes (of 18)

Sourness 6.7 · Citrus 6.0 · Heat 4.2 · Umami 4.0 · Richness 3.5 · Herbaceous 3.1 · Earthy 2.7 · Funk & Ferment 2.6 · Fruity 2.1 · Salinity 2.0 · Sweetness 1.7 · Nutty 1.5 · Bitterness 0.8 · Allium 0.7

What's in it (8)

• 1 (18-ounce) package prepared polenta
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/4 cups jarred salsa
• 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 cup shredded lettuce

Time & effort: about 15 min · effort: medium

Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 226.9 kcal, 8.4 g protein, 2.4 g fat, 43.2 g carbs

Dietary: Vegetarian · Contains dairy — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.

How it's cooked (12 steps)

1. Slice the polenta in half crosswise.
2. Then slice each half into 6 rounds, about 1/2-inch thick, so that you have 12 rounds total.
3. Heat the canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Gently slide each polenta round into the hot oil using a spatula.
5. If your pan is not large enough then fry 6 at a time.
6. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
7. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined sheet tray.
8. In a medium bowl, combine the beans, salsa and the 2 teaspoons hot sauce.
9. Mash the beans with a fork or potato masher.
10. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, remaining 1 tablespoon hot sauce and the lime juice and mix until well blended.
11. Build the sopes by spreading about 2 tablespoons mashed black beans on top of a fried polenta round.
12. Top with a small amount of shredded lettuce and about 1 tablespoon of the salsa and drizzle with some of the sour cream mixture.

Dishes with a similar flavor shape

• Fried Green Tomatoes — Southern
• Sheet-Pan Loaded Vegetarian Nachos — Mexican
• Guacamole — Mexican
• Falafel with Roasted Tomato and Yogurt Sauce — Middle Eastern
• Elote Asado con Chile Piquín y Limón — Mexican

Keep reading: what sourness, citrus, heat mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.

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Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.