Black Bean Salad - Confetti Salad

I love this salad, it's so delicious, it's also healthy, and it's nice and colorful too!  I owe thanks to my Sister for this tasty and healthy recipe.  I altered her basic recipe a bit and made it my own.  I really liked this salad and it was a big hit the first time I made it to take along to a pitch-in gathering!   I've since seen a few different variations of it.

{ Thanks again Sis! :) }

This is a great take along, or take for lunch.  It doesn't need to be refrigerated, but it can be served cold or room temperature.  It can be served as a salad side dish, or a dip with chips.  Maybe even in a tortilla as a wrap, or perhaps enjoyed in pita bread with some low fat cheese and sour cream.  This dish is low calorie and full of veggies and protein!  Good for you and tastes good too, that's certainly a good combination to me!

Black Bean Salad / Confetti Salad

- Basic Recipe -

Ingredients:

2 15-oz. cans black beans rinsed and drained

1 cup grape tomatoes,  halved

1 can corn drained or small bag of frozen-thawed

1 small red onion diced

1 bell pepper diced

1 avocado diced

1 jalapeno diced

1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro 

(1 cup of rice or pasta could be added also)

Dressing ingredients:

juice of 1 1/2 limes

1/4 cup olive oil

1 small glove garlic minced or crushed

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper -or to taste

1  tsp. chili powder  -or to taste

pinch of salt

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except avocado in a large bowl, mix together and then add dressing, toss well.  Add Avocado and mix gently before serving.  

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

- Altered Recipe -

Large amount for sharing!

Ingredients:

3 15 oz. cans of black beans rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved

2 cans of mixed yellow and white corn, drained or 1 bag frozen mixed corn-thawed

1 red and 1 green bell pepper, diced or 1/2 each of orange, yellow, green and red for more color

2 avocados, diced
1 small red onion, diced

1 jalapeno diced -optional

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or fresh parsley if preferred

Dressing:

1/3 cup olive oil

juice from 2 limes

1/4 tsp. jalapeno seasoning or cayenne /red pepper -or to taste

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

1/4 tsp. coriander -optional

1 small garlic glove minced or crushed or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. seasoned salt

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except avocado in a large bowl, mix together and then add dressing, toss gently to combine well.  Best if refrigerated a few hours or over night to enhance flavors. Add Avocado and mix gently before serving.  Serve cold or at room temperature.

This could be altered in many ways, with using different herbs and vegetables or additional types of beans or nuts.  Endless possibilities!...

Enjoy!...