Recipe Favorites: Black Bean and Pepper Salad with Cilantro and Lime

INGREDIENTS:

(4 servings but could easily be doubled, recipe created by Kalyn with inspiration from a blog that no longer exists)

1 can black beans, rinsed well and drained (about 1 1/2 cups cooked beans)
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
(could use any combination of colors for the pepper, or use 2 red peppers)
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped

Dressing:
2 T lime juice (fresh lime juice recommended)
2 T extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp. ground Chipotle pepper (I use Penzeys)
(you could use Green Tabasco in place of the Chipotle pepper)
1/2 tsp. mild chile powder (New Mexico chile powder is best)
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. onion powder
zest of one lime (optional, but recommended)
Vege-sal or salt to taste
fresh ground pepper to taste

Put black beans in a colander placed in the sink and rinse with cold water until no more foam appears. Let beans drain, preferably 30 minutes or so, until beans are no longer wet. (If you're rushed for time, you could blot them dry with paper towels.)

Mix dressing ingredients. Put beans and dressing into a plastic bowl with a snap-on lid, put lid on, and turn bowl over a few times until the beans are well coated with the dressing. Let the beans marinate in the dressing for an hour or so if you have time, or at least while you chop the other ingredients.

Chop peppers and onion into pieces about 1/2 inch square. (I was aiming for the beans, peppers, and onions to be approximately the same size.) Wash cilantro, dry well then chop coarsely (I used a salad spinner.)

In large bowl, gently combine beans, peppers, and onion. (If mixture seems dry you can add a tiny bit more olive oil and lime juice at this point.) Season to taste with Vege-sal or salt and fresh ground pepper. Stir in cilantro and serve.

This will keep for a day or two in the refrigerator, although it's best when the cilantro is still crisp.

Roasted Pepper Salad

This recipe for roasted pepper salad is courtesy of David Tanis and can be found in his "A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes" cookbook.

INGREDIENTS

Serves 8 to 10.

12 large bell peppers, preferably a mix of yellow, orange, and red
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon capers, rinsed
1 to 2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
Olive oil
1/2 cup Nicoise olives, rinsed
Basil leaves, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Place the peppers directly on the burner of a gas stove over high heat or on a grill. Just as each section turns puffy and black, turn the peppers with tongs to prevent overcooking. (If you don't have a gas stove, place the peppers on a baking pan, and broil in the oven, turning as each side becomes charred.) Spread peppers on a baking sheet and let cool.
When peppers are cool enough to handle, halve peppers crosswise and remove stems, ribs, and seeds; scrape away charred skin. Slice peppers into 1-inch-thick strips and transfer to a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine.
Using the flat side of a large knife, crush garlic. Sprinkle garlic with salt and continue crushing with the flat side of the knife until a paste is formed. Add to bowl with peppers, along with capers and vinegar. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until well combined. Let salad stand at room temperature until ready to serve.
To serve salad, season with salt and pepper and drizzle with more oil, if desired. Garnish with olives and basil.
First published September 2008