In a skillet, sauté celery, onion and bacon together until bacon is crisp, adding whole garlic cloves half way through cooking and allowing them to take on a toasted color and turning them once or twice. Remove the garlic to blender container if they begin to become too dark.

Drain bacon on paper towels. Add to blender along with garlic cloves and garlic powder, taco seasoning, cayenne, celery, onion and drained black beans. Process until well combined but some small chunks of vegetables remain.

Taste and adjust seasonings, adding salt, pepper, or garlic powder (if needed - some taco seasonings contain more salt than others).

Serve with your favorite tortilla chips garnished with slices of jalapeno, if desired. May also be used as a base filling in tacos.

Submitted by: CM