Description
Black bean salad from Ina Garten blends Mexican-inspired flavors with fresh ingredients. Home cooks will savor this zesty side dish that brings complex textures and bold seasonings to summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels (from about 2 ears)
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 orange bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small hass avocado, halved, seeded and diced
- ½ small red onion, finely chopped (about ¼ cup)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) lime juice (from 1 ½ limes)
- 1 small clove garlic
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, leaves and stems
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Garlic Preparation: Create an aromatic paste by crushing garlic with kosher salt using the flat side of a chef’s knife until a coarse mixture forms.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk garlic paste with lime juice, salt, and chili powder in a medium bowl, gradually streaming in olive oil while continuously blending to create a smooth emulsion.
- Vegetable Sautéing: Heat skillet over medium-high heat, caramelize bell peppers and onions until edges turn golden brown, developing rich, deep flavors.
- Bean Integration: Add rinsed black beans to the skillet, gently warming through without scorching, allowing ingredients to meld together harmoniously.
- Flavor Infusion: Remove vegetable-bean mixture from heat, let cool briefly, then drizzle with prepared lime-garlic dressing, tossing gently to ensure complete coating.
- Final Assembly: Delicately fold in ripe tomatoes, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro leaves, maintaining ingredient integrity while distributing flavors evenly.
- Seasoning Refinement: Taste and adjust with additional salt, pepper, or lime juice to balance and enhance the salad’s overall flavor profile, then serve at ambient temperature.
Notes
- Maximize Garlic Flavor: Crushing garlic with salt helps release essential oils and create a more intense, smooth flavor profile for the dressing.
- Emulsify with Precision: Whisking olive oil slowly into lime juice creates a stable, creamy dressing that coats ingredients evenly and prevents separation.
- Caramelize Vegetables Carefully: Sautéing bell peppers and onions at medium-high heat develops rich, sweet undertones that enhance the salad’s overall depth.
- Serve at Optimal Temperature: Allowing the salad to rest at room temperature allows flavors to meld and develop, creating a more harmonious and delicious dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg