Saturday, August 14, 2010

Black Bean and Corn Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

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This versatile salad goes anywhere and holds up well in the heat unlike mayo based salads. It's great for picnics, backyard barbecues, the beach or wherever you choose to hang out with family and friends enjoying the outdoors. This is the salad that I am asked to make most often when friends get together for a barbecue.

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Of course you can stay in and have this as well. You will want to make extra since leftovers make great next day sandwiches. Pop this salad into some whole wheat pita , add a  few cubes of pepper-jack cheese for an effortless, rocking vegetarian sandwich for lunch the next day. Just think of it as a free day from the kitchen. Whatever will you do with all that time not spent in the kitchen? Please don't say do the laundry!

black bean salad


I highly recommend letting this rest awhile. It tastes best the following day after the beans have soaked up all the flavours of the vinaigrette. If you can't make it overnight plan on making it and letting it sit at least 1 hour before serving.


Vinaigrette
1/3 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp cracked black pepper

Salad
1 can black beans (15 ounce) rinsed and drained
1 cup roasted corn kernels or one can corn, drained
3/4 cup red onions
1/2 cup tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup sweet peppers, chopped
1/4 cup chardon bénit (shado benny) finely chopped( substitute cilantro)

Method
1) In a large bowl combine salad ingredients
2) In a small bowl whisk together dressing ingredients
3) Pour over salad and toss until all ingredients are coated.

The above recipe is only a guide to get you started. This is one of those recipes that you will over time just develop an instinct for knowing how much of each ingredient to add. Taste this after you add the vinaigrette to the salad and adjust to suit your own preference. In time you will develop your own ratios for your own perfect version of this salad.


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17 comments:

  1. Wizzy, I love it... remind me of nice times spent in Mexico, thank you for sharing this :)

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  2. Bean salads like this don't just say summer they scream it. I love the combination and with a lime vinagrette to boot - oh yeah, bring it on.

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  3. I'm a new reader. What a lovely salad. I would use it like a salsa and put it on top of chili or tacos.

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  4. yes, this salad will go anywhere, but i prefer that it go straight into my mouth and down my gullet. seriously, this is one of my favorite things to eat ever--i love the medley of textures and flavors, and this particular lime vinaigrette is killer. bravo!!

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  5. Great salad Wizzy - and perfect for a lazy Sunday! Just added chickpeas to mine and it was delish!!

    p.s. I don't ever remember having this at a barbecue. Just saying.

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  6. Your salad looks so amazing and delicious. And making it into a pita sandwich is such a great idea. Your photos are gorgeous, too!

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  7. @Cultureshok- You going to the wrong bbq's then. Lol. No you are right this is not traditional for Trinis but I make it all the time. Invite me over, I'll bring some if you hauling out the grill.

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  8. Yum! Your photos always make me hungry.

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  9. Looks like what we call Texas caviar up here in big-D -although we usually throw in some black-eyed peas.

    http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Texas-Caviar-I/Detail.aspx

    Your pics are AMAZING on this one! My mouth watering just to look!

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  10. Love all the flavours in there and the pics as well!

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  11. I've been seriously craving black bean and corn salad since corn is in season right now. This sounds perfect!

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  12. This is one of my favorite salads, sometimes I add chicken for a easy lunch. Your pictures are beautiful, thanks for sharing!

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  13. I love bean salads... this is similar to one that is a staple in our house, but I'm thrilled to have one more to add to my repertoire!

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  14. Beautiful photos! Bean salad is always a yummy, healthy bite. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. What lovely, lovely, colours and flavours!!!!!!!!!!

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  16. Yum…this looks fantastic, and I love lime in anything and everything…on my summer list…(but alas it is winter, but looking forward to it!)
    Thanks for visiting my blog, love your work too!

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