Black Bean and Pepper Jack Fondue

1 medium red onion, chopped, about 1 cup

2 large carrots chopped, about 1 cup

1 large stalk celery chopped. about 3/4 cup

6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

2 jalapenos, stem and seeds discarded, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon ground cumin

2 bay leaves, broken

1 tablespoon ground black peppercorns

1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

1/4 cup dry sherry or apple juice

1/8 cup Spanish sherry wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 cans (15 ounces) of black beans, rinsed and drained

4 cups (32 ounces) chicken broth

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded pepper Jack cheese (use jalapeno Jack for spicy version)

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup sour cream (optional)

1/4 cup chopped scallions

For dipping:

Tortilla chips

chunks of pepper

Jack or jalapeno Jack cheese

Saute onion, carrots, garlic, celery and jalapenos in olive oil and butter in large sauce pan until beginning to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in cumin, bay leaves, black and cayenne pepper, dry sherry and sherry wine vinegar, cook 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes longer, stirring frequently.

Add beans and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until thickened. Reduce heat to low, add cheese and heavy cream and cook until mixture reaches a fondue consistency.

Transfer the fondue to an enamel or ceramic fondue pot and keep warm over a fondue burner. Top with pepper Jack cheese, sour cream and scallions and serve immediately with tortilla chips. Makes 20 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes; Cook time: 15-20 minutes

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