Ingredients:

  • 2 cans (15 oz / 425g each) Black Beans, rinsed and drained thoroughly
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425g) Sweet Corn, drained (or 1 ½ cups frozen sweetcorn, thawed)
  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper, cored and finely diced
  • ½ medium Red Onion, very finely diced
  • 1 medium Jalapeño Pepper, seeded, deveined, and minced (optional)
  • ½ cup (120ml) Fresh Coriander/Cilantro, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup (60ml) Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • ¼ cup (60ml) Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
  • 1 tsp (5ml) Ground Cumin
  • ½ tsp (2.5ml) Chilli Powder
  • ¼ tsp (1.25ml) Smoked Paprika (Pimentón Ahumado)
  • 1 tsp (5g) Kosher Salt
  • ½ tsp (2.5g) Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 clove Garlic, minced

Instructions:

  1. Drain and Rinse: Empty the black beans into a colander. Rinse them thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. Shake off excess moisture and set aside. Drain the canned corn (if using).
  2. Dice the Vegetables: Using a sharp knife, dice the red onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño pepper (if using) into small, uniform pieces. Aim for pieces no larger than the corn kernels for better texture integration.
  3. Mince the Aromatics: Finely mince the garlic clove and set aside with the prepped vegetables. Chop the coriander.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small jar or cup, combine the cumin, chilli powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  5. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the olive oil, fresh lime juice, and the minced garlic.
  6. Emulsify: Place a tight-fitting lid on the jar or use a whisk to vigorously blend the ingredients until the dressing is fully emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Combine Salad: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the rinsed black beans, corn, diced red pepper, red onion, and jalapeño (if using).
  8. Dress the Salad: Pour about three-quarters of the prepared lime dressing over the bean mixture. Toss gently until all components are evenly coated.
  9. Rest and Marinate (Crucial Step): Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes. This rest time allows the beans and vegetables to absorb the dressing's bold flavours.
  10. Final Adjustments: Before serving, remove the salad from the fridge. Taste it, add the remaining dressing if needed, and check the seasoning. Fold in the fresh coriander/cilantro right before serving.