Zesty Bean Salad Recipes

FRESH BLACK BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large serving bowl, combine all of the ingredients and toss to combine. Taste, and adjust as necessary until the flavors really pop-I usually add another teaspoon or two of vinegar (you can use lime juice instead, for more mild flavor) and another 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Cover and chill to enhance the flavors-preferably for at least 2 hours, or overnight. Serve in individual bowls as is, or with any of the garnishes listed. Leftovers keep well for up to 4 days or so; you might want to wake up the flavors with an extra squeeze of lime juice or tiny splash of vinegar.

ZESTY SOUTHERN PASTA AND BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse pasta in cold water. Place in a large mixing bowl and add dressing and salt; mix well.
• Combine pinto beans and black beans in a colander; rinse with cold water and add to pasta. Add corn, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, dried red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste; toss lightly.
• Chill salad in refrigerator until ready to serve.

SPICY BLACK BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix black beans, corn, red onion, salsa, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour to 2 days. Serve chilled.

SPICY BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Drain all the beans well.
• In a bowl place the sesame oil and garlic, mix well. Add the onion, stir.
• Sprinkle in the coriander, chili, cumin, black pepper and salt and stir.
• Mix with the beans, sprinkle over the lemon juice and garnish with coriander leaves.
• Serve at room temperature.

ZESTY BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours- the longer it sits, the better it will taste!
• Serve as is or over field greens.

SPICY 3-BEAN CHILI SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the onions in a bowl of ice water to mellow their sharpness and set aside. Strain and rinse the black, kidney and pinto beans.
• Add 3 tablespoons of the oil, the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin and oregano to a medium skillet. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, until the tomato paste and oil have come together as a dark brown paste, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Turn off the heat, and stir in the remaining 5 tablespoons oil. Let cool for 25 minutes so the oil can absorb the flavors of the tomato-paste mixture.
• Pour the oil mixture into a fine-mesh strainer set over a liquid measuring cup with a spout. Do not press down on the tomato-paste mixture, just let the oil drain until there is at least 1/4 cup of it in the measuring cup, 5 to 7 minutes. Discard the tomato-paste mixture. Put the pickled jalapeno juice and 1 teaspoon salt into a large mixing bowl, and slowly whisk in the flavored oil.
• Strain the onions, and add them to the bowl with the dressing. Add the jalapenos, all the beans and the red and yellow bell peppers. Stir to combine, and add salt to taste. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, and garnish with the sliced scallions.