Recipe(tried): Black Bean and Rice Salad, Corn and Black Bean Salad

Here is a recipe for rice salad, but it calls for lemon juice instead of vinegar. I think I might substitute rice wine vinegar for the lemon juice, for its nice light flavor. Maybe even substitute a Tablespoon of vinegar with lime juice. The other recipe is black bean salad, very good, thought you might like the recipe. Good luck!

Black Bean and Rice Salad

2 tomatoes, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, minced
3/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/4 teaspoons dried cilantro
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn; drain and reserve liquid
1 (15 ounce) can black beans; drain and reserve liquid
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking brown rice
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, red bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, lemon juice, cilantro, basil, red pepper flakes, corn, and beans. Stir to combine the vegetables, then set aside.

In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil at a medium-low heat. Add onions and saute until they are translucent. Add garlic and saute for another minute. Pour in rice and toss to coat. Add reserved liquid from the corn and beans, along with any additional liquid as directed on the rice box. Cook the rice to package specifications. Let the rice cool slightly.

Combine the rice and vegetable mixture. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Corn and Black Bean Salad

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (8.75 ounce) can sweet corn, drained

In a small bowl, mix together balsamic vinegar, oil, salt, sugar, black pepper, cumin, and chili powder.

In a medium bowl, stir together black beans and corn. Toss with vinegar and oil dressing, and garnish with cilantro. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.