Recipe for Life-Black Bean and Corn Salad

My goal for this weeks Recipe for Life, in addition to the standard goal of providing you with meal ideas that are simple, inexpensive and healthy, is to avoid the heat of the stove as much as possible. I promise you that this salad not only meets the criteria, but is also delicious. The only catch is that you should only make as much as you plan to eat because it’s not that great the next day.

This salad packs a nutritional punch that is unrivaled by the typical tossed salad. In addition, the addition of a grain like brown rice or a protein, such as chicken breasts or the falafel recipe would take this from a salad to a full fledged meal. Trader Joe’s Soy and Flax tortilla chips (I promise they don’t taste like cardboard) would also be a great and healthful addition.

Not sure who gets the credit for this recipe. It has evolved over a period of time.

Recipe for Life –Black Bean and Corn Salad

Ingredients: (Dressing)

1. 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
2. 1/2 cup olive oil
3. 1 clove garlic, minced
4. 1 teaspoon salt (omit if you use optional Italian dressing)
5. 1/4 cup your favorite Italian dressing (optional)

Ingredients: (Salad)

1. 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2. 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
3. 1 avocado – peeled, pitted and diced
4. 1 red bell pepper, chopped
5. 2 tomatoes, chopped
6. 3 green onions, thinly sliced
7. 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
8. 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt (if not using Italian dressing), and Italian dressing in a small jar. Cover tightly, and shake until ingredients are well mixed.
2. In medium sized bowl, combine beans, corn, avocado, bell pepper, tomatoes, green onions, red onions and cilantro (if using). Shake dressing, to make sure its mixed well , and pour over the salad. Stir salad to coat vegetables and beans with dressing, and serve immediately. Enjoy!
   

I like to make the dressing a couple hours in advance to allow the flavors to meld together, but it certainly is not necessary.

Black beans are high in protein, fiber, antioxidants and taste!

Try this recipe and let me know how you like it. I believe it’s a great option for you as you battle Alzheimer’s disease. Consider adding it to your menu plan. It’s good food that’s good for YOU!