Recipe: Black Bean, Rice and Veggie Salad

recipelink.com Chat Room Recipe Swap - 2001-02-08
From: calliope,.NY

CALLIOPE’S COLD BLACK BEAN, RICE AND VEGGIE SALAD

4-cups cooked white rice
2-cans rinsed and drained, black beans and/or you can use grilled
yogurt marinated chicken
...or 1 can black beans and 1 chic peas..or kidney beans, red or white
1-box frozen corn, cooked, al dente, and drained
1-each, small, finely minced and squeezed, green and red pepper
2-ribs celery, minced
1-small red onion, minced, OR scallions....to taste
Fresh tomatoes, chopped, added at time of serving (so salad doesn't
get watery ) !
Salt and fresh cracked black pepper...to taste
*optional...one handful flat leaf parsley, chopped

DRESSING
3/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/3-1/2 cup fresh lime juice
. 1-large clove garlic, ...at least
1-large Jalapeno pepper, quartered, seeds and ribs removed,
except for one 1/4 *( know how to handle chili safely!!!)
use the rib and seeds from that 1/4..or half, depending on taste
If you are unsure of the jalapeno...use cayenne, but its NOT the same!
1-tsp. whole cumin seed, toasted and crushed
1- cup fresh cilantro (coriander)...or use more parsley, if you hate cilantro
Blend on high-speed to emulsify.

NOTE...you may prefer not to blend the jalapeno and cilantro but instead leave them just chopped in the salad.

*Try to make this one day in advance so that the flavors can combine.
*Also, if you let the servings come to room temp. before you eat, it will taste more flavorful!

This really is already a complete meal but, you could also serve this with either, garlic bread or.....flour tortillas, sandwiched with Monterey Jack cheese, chopped black olives and (scallions) between the layers, baked in the oven till the cheese is melted, or toasted in a dry frying pan on both sides... then cut into wedges and served with a fruit salsa for a bit of a change. Drink; cran-raspberry juice over ice with a lime "wheel".