Best 7 Layer Dip
 Made with garlicky fork-mashed black beans, chunky guacamole, crisp sweet corn, and salsa fresca, this 7 layer dip bursts with freshness and flavor — it’s the ultimate party dip! Ingredients 2 cups cored, seeded, and finely chopped tomatoes, from 2 to 3 large tomatoes or 4 to 6 plum tomatoes 1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, light and dark green parts separated (divided) 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced (divided) 4 tablespoons lime juice, from 2 limes (divided) Salt ½ teaspoon sugar 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced (divided) 1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 teaspoon ground cumin (divided) 2 tablespoons water 3 medium avocados, halved, pitted and diced 1 (8-oz) block sharp Cheddar, shredded (see note) 1 (8 oz) container sour cream (1 cup) 1¼ cups fresh cooked or canned (and drained) corn kernels Tortilla chips, for serving 2 cups cored, seeded, and finely chopped tomatoes, from 2 to 3 large tomatoes or 4 to 6 plum tomatoes 1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, light and dark green parts separated (divided) 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced (divided) 4 tablespoons lime juice, from 2 limes (divided) Salt ½ teaspoon sugar 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced (divided) 1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 teaspoon ground cumin (divided) 2 tablespoons water 3 medium avocados, halved, pitted and diced 1 (8-oz) block sharp Cheddar, shredded (see note) 1 (8 oz) container sour cream (1 cup) 1¼ cups fresh cooked or canned (and drained) corn kernels Tortilla chips, for serving Instructions Make the salsa fresca: In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, half of the dark green scallions, half of the minced jalapeño, 2 tablespoons of the lime juice, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and the sugar. (If your tomatoes are sweet, you can reduce or omit the sugar.) Set aside. Make the bean layer: Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add all of the light scallions and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 2 minutes. Measure out ¼ teaspoon of the minced garlic and set aside in a medium bowl (you'll use this for the guacamole). Add the remaining garlic to the skillet and continue cooking for 30 seconds more. Do not brown. Add the black beans, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon of the cumin, and water and continue cooking for about one minute. Off the heat, mash the beans with a fork or potato masher until they have a chunky puréed texture. Scrape the beans into an 8-inch glass baking dish and spread into an even layer. Set aside. (The bean mixture may taste salty; that's okay.) Make the guacamole layer: To the medium bowl with the reserved garlic, add the avocados, the remaining dark green scallions, the remaining jalapeño, ½ teaspoon salt, the remaining ½ teaspoon cumin, and the remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice. Mash with a fork until blended but still a bit chunky. Assemble the dip: Spread the sour cream evenly over the black bean layer. Sprinkle half of the cheese over the sour cream, followed by all of the guacamole, and then the remaining cheese. Sprinkle the corn over the cheese. Transfer the salsa to a fine sieve and drain. Top the corn layer with the salsa. Serve the dip with a spoon and tortilla chips. Make-Ahead Instructions: The dip can made up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated, covered tightly in plastic wrap. Let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving. Leftover dip will keep for a day or two in the fridge. It may release liquid after sitting while refrigerated; simply blot the liquid with a paper towel before serving. Note: If you're short on time, pre-shredded Cheddar can be used as long as it's a good brand, like Cabot. You'll need two packed cups. Make the salsa fresca: In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, half of the dark green scallions, half of the minced jalapeño, 2 tablespoons of the lime juice, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and the sugar. (If your tomatoes are sweet, you can reduce or omit the sugar.) Set aside. Make the bean layer: Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add all of the light scallions and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 2 minutes. Measure out ¼ teaspoon of the minced garlic and set aside in a medium bowl (you'll use this for the guacamole). Add the remaining garlic to the skillet and continue cooking for 30 seconds more. Do not brown. Add the black beans, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon of the cumin, and water and continue cooking for about one minute. Off the heat, mash the beans with a fork or potato masher until they have a chunky puréed texture. Scrape the beans into an 8-inch glass baking dish and spread into an even layer. Set aside. (The bean mixture may taste salty; that's okay.) Make the guacamole layer: To the medium bowl with the reserved garlic, add the avocados, the remaining dark green scallions, the remaining jalapeño, ½ teaspoon salt, the remaining ½ teaspoon cumin, and the remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice. Mash with a fork until blended but still a bit chunky. Assemble the dip: Spread the sour cream evenly over the black bean layer. Sprinkle half of the cheese over the sour cream, followed by all of the guacamole, and then the remaining cheese. Sprinkle the corn over the cheese. Transfer the salsa to a fine sieve and drain. Top the corn layer with the salsa. Serve the dip with a spoon and tortilla chips. Make-Ahead Instructions: The dip can made up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated, covered tightly in plastic wrap. Let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving. Leftover dip will keep for a day or two in the fridge. It may release liquid after sitting while refrigerated; simply blot the liquid with a paper towel before serving. Note: If you're short on time, pre-shredded Cheddar can be used as long as it's a good brand, like Cabot. You'll need two packed cups. Nutrition Information Powered by Per serving (Nutritional data does not include tortilla chips – 12 servings) Calories: 290 Fat: 21 g Saturated fat: 7 g Carbohydrates: 18 g Sugar: 3 g Fiber: 7 g Protein: 9 g Sodium: 430 mg Cholesterol: 29 mg Per serving (Nutritional data does not include tortilla chips – 12 servings) Calories: 290 Fat: 21 g Saturated fat: 7 g Carbohydrates: 18 g Sugar: 3 g Fiber: 7 g Protein: 9 g Sodium: 430 mg Cholesterol: 29 mg Gluten-Free Adaptable Note To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.