My aunt, LouAnn, is such a great cook. We can always count on her to bring something fabulous to a picnic. She came through again last week (Memorial Day) with what has now become my new favorite salad. I’ve been hankering for more cold salads and things that go well on the summer menu- you know, in addition to hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, baked beans, chips & dip… the meal that always says summer to me. Oh, with cole slaw, can’t forget the cole slaw. Now that I mentioned cole slaw, I’m craving it, and will have to make another batch very soon.
Back to my aunt’s salad. It had so many of my favorite ingredients, I was bound to like it. Black beans, tomatoes, avocados, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, garlic… It reminds me of my favorite burrito from Chipotle, and yes, that made me love it all the more.
I asked her for the recipe and she was gracious enough to let me have it, and now it’s my turn to share it with you.
I’m no food photographer, but I had to include a picture, because if you’re anything like me, you won’t try this recipe without at least knowing what to expect it to look like. Right?
Here’s another shot-
Better? Well, just trust me, if you like things with black beans and cilantro, you’ll like this salad. It’s so perfect for this time of year.
It makes a wonderful side dish, or could even make a main course like we had for supper last night, especially if you add some chicken or cubed cheese, or both. (Or maybe some salmon?!) Corn would be good with it too, mixed in or on the side. Oooh, this is summer, have it with some grilled corn on the cob! Why didn’t I think of that earlier?! Oh, well, next time.
Without further ado-
LouAnn’s Black Bean and Rice Salad
2 c. white rice (pre-cook this, it works better chilled)
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained
1/2 c. chopped tomatoes
1/2 c. chopped avocado
1/2 c. chopped red onion
1/2 c. chopped cilantro
1/4 c. olive oil
3 Tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 crushed garlic clove
salt and pepper
In a large bowl, mix tomato, avocado, red onion, cilantro, beans, and rice. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lime juice, sugar, cumin, and garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste. Combine ingredients of small bowl into large bowl and mix until consistent. Enjoy!
Do you have a favorite summertime salad recipe?
Feel free to leave a link, I’d love to try out some new ones this year!
Newsflash- I just found out that Saturday (June 12th) is National Peanut Butter Cookie Day! I didn’t know there was a National Peanut Butter Cookie Day, and I don’t know if there really needs to be, but there is, so let’s just run with it. I’m off to round up some tasty Peanut Butter Cookie recipes…
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
That salad sounds great. I have a problem with avacados though. I can never pick the ones that are ripe. They end up sitting on my counter until it’s too late. Any ideas for me?
I’m not the best avocado picker myself. Sometimes they are all underripe and they need to sit, and half the time they sit too long, sigh… those buggers are expensive so I hate to lose them, but I definitely have had some lost!
I’m pretty sure this salad would taste just as good without the avocados, they add more nutrition than flavor most of the time anyway
This kinda reminds me of one I do, but slightly different. Yum!
I love making salads in the summer. I will give this one a try.
Yay! I hope you like it!
We tried this recipe tonight and everyone seemed to like it. I left out the avocados because I’m the only one that likes those. Hubby said he’d prefer it as a side, vs the main course. That was the only “complaint” though. It was yummy. I ♥ cilantro! Thanks for the recipe!
Yay! I’m so glad you liked it! I knew the moment my aunt said cilantro that I was going to like it too!! One of my favorite flavors!!
I tried your rice salad after reading about it on the mckmamma blog and it is out of this world. I love to cook and collect recipes and I can’t wait to make it for a Father’s Day bar-b-que. I think the flavors go together perfectly. Thank-you for sharing.
Oh, yes, this salad will definitely be a part of our bar-b-que/picnic as well! I was serious when I said it’s my new favorite (and it helps that my husband likes it too, LOL!)
I don’t have a salad recipe but my new favorite summer recipe is for Black Bean Burgers for the grill. The recipe is from Hallelujah Acres (www.hacres.com) Here it is:
Ingredients
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 small onion (coarsely chopped)
1 medium red pepper (chopped)
4 medium cloves of garlic (minced)
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 1/2 cups cooked or canned organic black beans (drained)
1 cup cooked brown basmati rice
2 cups fresh whole wheat bread crumbs
Hot pepper sauce to taste (optional)
Also optional is adding 1 tablespoon of Ketchup (from Rhonda’s Recipe book)
1 1/2 teaspoon Celtic Sea Salt
Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, red pepper, and garlic. Cook while stirring frequently until soft and onions are translucent. Stir in cumin, turmeric, and cook for an additional minute. In a food processor, combine beans, rice and onion/pepper/garlic mixture. Transfer to a large bowl. Add breadcrumbs and mix well. Season with salt and hot pepper if desired. Flatten 1/4 cup amounts of mix into patties and they are ready for the outdoor grill. Cook about 3-5 minutes each side. Makes 8 burgers.
Those actually sound really good! I’ll have to get adventurous and try those one of these days!
MMMMMMMMthat sounds GOOD! TY! I have two favorites:
Put down a layer of spinach/mesclun/field greens…
top with a layer of pecans…
a layer of strawberries…
a layer of red grapes…
Serve with raspberry vinaigrette. MMMMMMMMMMM!
Another is just combining fresh fruit~a minimum might be cantaloupe, strawberries, and grapes. All berries would be great, watermelon, musk melon, kiwi, etc. Just cut and toss with shredded coconut! MMMMM!
So simple and GOOD! ~smile~ (((((HUGS))))) sandi
Yum, I have been looking for new ways to try black beans. Thanks for sharing