Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Corn and Black Bean Salad with Cumin Lime Vinaigrette

I've been making corn and black bean salad for so long that I actually used to think that I was the one who made it up. Hah! The hubris of the young. For over a decade I've been dragging it to potlucks, whipping it up for quick dinners, and spooning it into plastic containers for lunch on the go. Black bean and corn salads are as common as the three bean salads of yesteryear now, but they've got a special, fresh pico de gallo and salsa-ish appeal, cooling and spicy in the same bite. Many of today's recipes call for bottled Italian dressing, but I like it much better with a quick lime vinaigrette. It's much healthier-even the light bottled dressing are chock full of additives- and will better compliment the zingy southwest flavors in the salad. I'll show you how to stretch this side into an all encompassing dinner meal, too.
Money Saving Tips: Use any extra corn on the cob by slicing off the kernels. Cook your own black beans and freeze them in zip top bags, pulling out what you need. Use whatever colorful veggies you have handy.

Corn and Black Bean Salad with Cumin Lime Vinaigrette
Estimated Cost: $3.50
Notes: I've made this salad with no olive oil at all with great results. If you're dieting, leave it out.
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed well
2 cups corn kernels, (frozen and thawed, or canned, or cut off the cob)
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, minced
1 cup chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, minced-or less if you like it wimpy
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
juice and zest of one lime
1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
Combine beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeno in a medium bowl. Sprinkle cumin and salt and pepper over the top. Drizzle with oil, lime juice and zest; taste for salt and pepper and adjust seasonings if necessary. Toss and serve.
For a main dish:
Add 2 cups each cooked brown rice and fully cooked meat, adding extra cumin, lime, and olive oil if necessary. I used leftover grilled chicken slices. You can also add in avocado, mango, or pineapple, like I did below.
Next Up:
Open Faced Apple and Cranberry Light Chicken Sandwiches

51 comments:

  1. This looks perfect for lunch! I am going to have to add it to an upcoming lunch for the brown baggers! Knowing you, Prudy, you probably did invent this one!

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  2. I love Salsa's like this one, Looks yummy!

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  3. I like all the extras you added in! Good quick leftovers lunch!

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  4. The fruit looks like a great addition! I think you'd need the olive oil to keep it really moist, though.

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  5. I have everything at home for this salad! I can't wait to get home to make it!

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  6. Woman! I wish I didn't have lunch plans because I have everything on hand for this salad at home right now and it sounds perfect. Numnumnumnum....
    ~Cat

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  7. Oh this looks delicious. We're crazy about beans and rice at our house, so this is right up our alley!

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  8. That sounds perfect for me to pack for lunch! Thank you!

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  9. This looks like a hearty weeknight meal with no fuss. Plus it looks ultra delicious. I may have to try this when I am running out of time or even for a small get-together. Perfect Prudy!

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  10. great salad, and great use of the word "hubris." :)
    seriously, black beans, corn, and cumin are meant to be together forever. :)

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  11. mmmm...my family is going to LOVE this one for sure!!

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  12. Oh Erin this looks so good. I would love to add chicken or ground beef to it and make it an easy weeknight meal. I love it! I made a huge batch of black beans last week and put some in the freezer...I know what I'm doing with them now.

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  13. What a fun and colorful salad Prudy! That would have been perfect for a neighborhood bbq tonight, unfortunately I don't have all the ingredients. I will definitely remember this for next time, and for a meal for my family.

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  14. Perfect for my diet! I am planning on making this with the fresh corn from my garden!! Thanks so much!

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  15. This looks like the perfect salad to bring to a pot luck! Looks so fresh!

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  16. I love the combination of flavors. Looks nice and fresh!

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  17. Mmm, and I have ribs in the slow cooker right now. Let's get together for lunch!
    Great salad, so colourful and lots of good fiber.

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  18. That is my kind of meal...printing if off right now and headed to the store right after work...can't wait!! =)

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  19. Yum! I love this salad and I love your dressing.

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  20. I love bean salad! I especially like how you made your own dressing.. its so much more refreshing especially since dressings nowadays are full of weird chemicals.

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  21. Why can't I get the recipes? Amy

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  22. This looks so delicious. I love all the beautiful colors! Can't wait to try this one!

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  23. Amy:
    Are the recipes now showing up on the computer or not printing? I've had one other reader that was unable. Let me know and I'll see if I can help.

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  24. That looks like a wonderful salad! Perfect for a warm, end-of-summer day like today! I also liked the comment about adding fresh corn. Thanks for another wonderful recipe!!!

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  25. you really got me on the last one. the addition of the mango and avocado got me a-hankering. yummy.

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  26. Black Beans! A girl after my own heart! Yep . . . I have made the Italian dressing version many a time . . . your lime vin. sounds delightful! I am definately going to try it!

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  27. One of my favorite dishes. I feel so healthy when I eat it.

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  28. I make a similar salad but your vinaigrette sounds much better and lighter than the dressing I use. I love cumin and lime.

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  29. Hi Prudy, thanks for visiting my site and for your very kind comment!

    Oh this looks delicious and the perfect bean salad!

    Rosie x

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  30. I made this two nights ago. Served it with Lamb burgers, fresh tomato slices from the garden and potato salad. Love the leftovers too. When at all possible I use fresh corn on the cob. It really makes the dish. Thanks for all the suggestions for additions.

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  31. What a delicious and healthy sounding salad!

    And you never know - you may have been the original!!

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  32. Like the addition of the rice and meat to make it a meal in itself. Delicious.

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  33. This salad looks great! I love using corn and black beans together. Love your last post too, I can't keep up these days. Your kids are so cute!

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  34. It's going on my list! It looks delectable!

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  35. Ha, I'm the same way. I saw some corn & black bean salad at Whole Foods and I thought wait, did they get that idea from me? Now, you're stealing my idea? :) What gives?! Looks delicious!

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  36. I like the sound of just adding meat to a salsa like this to turn int into a meal.

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  37. Ha! I do the same thing... what? I didn't invent fried chicken? Other people do this... really?

    I love all of these flavors, you can't go wrong with beans and corn -especially when paired with lime vinaigrette! All of these are totally MFEO!

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  38. I made this for dinner to use up some leftover chicken. I also added brown rice and an avocado I picked up at the store. It was a HIT! My baby loved it and my husband and I fought over the leftovers

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  39. This looks so yummy, I am trying this afternoon. Thanks for sharing.

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  40. Prudy, we love black bean and corn salad too. My recipe has some toasted pecans and they add a great crunch and flavor. Thanks for the cumin-lime vinaigrette ingreds.

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  41. I'm sticking this comment in an old post so Duckie won't see it. Her birthday is on September 21 and I have her mailing address if you'd like to send a card. E-mail me on mariealicejoan at aol dot com. I bet she'd be thrilled to get a card from one of her favourite cooks!

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  42. We just had the cilantro lime chicken, spanish rice and this salad. It was so good. I mixed it all together like a rice bowl. I can't wait to have the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

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  43. great salad, and great use of the word "hubris." :) seriously, black beans, corn, and cumin are meant to be together forever. :)

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