"Lost" Finale Worthy of Watch Party

The Super Bowl has nothing on Sunday’s sayonara to “Lost.” Football is every year. Show’s like “Lost” are once in a lifetime. Keep an eye on the blog this week for Dharma-approved “Lost” watch party recipes and party ideas. I’ll also share my favorite moments in this landmark serialized theater of the absurd that came to us from, of all places, broadcast television.

First things first, if you want to print off some Dharma Initiative labels, you can find them a number of places, including here.

For something a little less literal and a little more delicious, start with a simple bean dip inspired by Jacob and brother Smokey. The tussle between Jacob, who always wears white, and Smokey, who is a black smoke serpent able to take human form, is the foundation for “Lost.” They are Yin and Yang personified. And what better way to interpret that in party food than a Taijitu-shaped dip made of black beans and sour cream. But half beans to half cream would be far too much cream. So, in keeping with the propensity for things not always being what they seem on “Lost,” the Yang side is only a topping.

Another common element is things not being all that they seem. This dip is mostly black beans, a coating of sour crema Mexicana to give the appearance of equality. But let’s face it, that would be way too much sour cream. To break down the beans, I like to put the cans in a mixing bowl then put an immersion blender directly into the cans to blend them before pouring them into the bowl and mashing them further with a potato masher.

Yin and Yang Dip Photo by Doug Hoke

Yin and Yang Dip

Ingredients

• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans
• 2 tablespoons bacon fat, fresh lard or shortening
• ½ white onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 fresh serrano or jalapeno chiles
• ¼ cup chicken broth or water
• Salt to taste
• ½ cup sour cream, preferably Mexican style.

Directions

1. Using a blender or immersion blender, blend the beans and juice until smooth. When beans are at desired consistency, heat a large skillet to medium high and melt fat.
2. Saute onions a minute or two, then add garlic and chiles.
3. Once onions are golden brown, add beans and broth. Mix rapidly until all moisture is absorbed. Add salt, mix and remove and let stand about 15 minutes.
4. Transfer to a round serving bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.
5. Once beans are chilled, use a toothpick to draw an “S” shape from top to bottom of the circle, making sure each side is equal.
6. Scrape a quarter inch off the top of one side of the “S” shape, transferring the excavated dip onto the “dark” side.
7. Fill in the excavated area with sour cream, preferably Mexican style as it’s a touch thinner. Smooth the top of each side with a spatula butter knife.
8. Use a straw to create holes for the contrasting dots. Put a dot of black beans in the fat part of the cream side and a dot of sour cream on the fat part of the bean side.

Serve with tortilla or corn chips.