Corn and Black Bean Salad
This salad was inspired by ingredients I had on hand. I had picked up some beautiful sweet corn the other day. I also had some sweet peppers and home canned black beans. I knew the trio would work well together.
I used fresh corn in this dish. You could use frozen corn, if that was all you had. Fresh corn season is too short around here. I always buy extra corn for freezing. I just blanch the shucked corn for a few minutes in boiling water, then drop into ice water. Once the corn is cool enough to handle, I cut the corn off the ears. Then I package up the corn and freeze it.
You could also grill corn and cut it off the cob to freeze.
I like to boil the cobs after the corn is cut off, for a corn stock, which I also freeze. The cobs have a lot of flavor.
If using the frozen corn in a salad, you’ll want to drain it after thawing.
So here is the recipe. Pretty simple. You could add some sweet onion, if you like, too.
Corn and Black Bean Salad
4 c. cooked corn
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 sweet pepper, seeded and chopped
¼ c. olive oil
3 T. red wine vinegar
1 T. Balsamic vinegar
2 t. Italian seasoning- I used my Tuscan blend
Salt and pepper to taste
Hot sauce to taste, optional
Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Stir to combine well. Chill before serving. Serves 6-8.
Spicy Bean “Burgers”
Spicy Bean “Burger”
While I like veggie burgers- well, some of them- I am not crazy about the name. For me burgers are made from meat. Still, I guess if I say veggie burger at least people know what I am talking about. I prefer to call them veggie patties. I like to eat veggie patties that are not too processed and are made with ingredients I can find in my own kitchen. These bean “burgers” are actually pretty good. They are easy to make, taste good and provide a nutritious meal at a reasonable cost.
Spicy Bean “Burgers”
1 (14-15ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 sweet pepper, chunked
1/2 onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon hot sauce, or more to taste
1/2 cup bread crumbs
If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly oil a baking sheet. In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
In a food processor, finely chop pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans. In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and hot sauce.
Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is not sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties. If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side. Makes 4.
