Thursday, July 15, 2010

Vinaigrette Salsa Salad

I originally got this from Vegetarian Times, where it was called Picnic Caviar. We thought that was a dumb name, so we named it Vinaigrette Salsa Salad, which is still dumb but way more descriptive.
So here it is:

1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 Tbs sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-oz can black-eyed peas or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cup corn kernels
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 little can of diced jalapenos or green chilies with liquid
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1. Whisk together vinegar, oil, sugar, garlic, oregano, and basil in large bowl.
2. Stir in everything else, and add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate one hour before serving.

This one is great for summer because hey! No cooking! We generally eat it with Mission tortilla strips because I like them--they're less salty than other brands I've had. While we have used pinto beans in this, I think the black-eyed peas are way better. And you don't technically have to rinse the beans, but if you don't they'll turn the vinaigrette gray.

8 comments:

  1. Can you recommend a good substitute for the jalapenos/green chilies for someone who doesn't like the spicy? Or just leave them out? Would that leave a hole in the flavor palette?

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  2. Scott's dad makes something very similar to this that involves a can of tomatoes and some kidney beans. Well maybe it isn't that similar but it is kinda like this. It rules. I want to try this! And you're right, it needed to be re-named. "Picnic caviar" sounds really dumb haha

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  3. ps: I love basically everything that has cilantro in it. My cilantro thay I tried to grow died, however. Lame.

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  4. I think the original recipe calls for only 2 tablespoons or so of mild green chilies instead of a whole can, which comes out not very spicy. If you left them out completely it would probably still taste great, just a little different and less southwesty.

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  5. Less southwesty would be a bummer. Maybe I'll use the green chilies and just not tell Sister Momonjii.

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  6. You could try using jalapeno Tabasco instead. If she's okay with that she'd probably be okay with the chilies, but if she's not you can scoop yourself a separate bowl and add some just to yours.

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  7. I am proud to say that I possess the first three ingredients on this list.

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  8. Cherilyn, that's definitely a start. ;)

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