Recipes

Black Bean & Corn Salad

(submitted by Amreen Karmali)

1/4 cup dried black beans(soaked overnight and boiled until soft-approximately 1 hour)
4 ears of fresh corn (boiled until soft -approximately 5 minutes- and decobbed)
1 red onion (finely diced)
1 bunch cilantro (finely chopped)
2 limes
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground corriander
1/2 tsp chili powder
salt to taste

In a serving bowl mix beans, corn, onions and cilantro.  Squeeze in the juice of the two limes. Add cumin, corriander chili and salt.  Mix and refrigerate for at least an hour. Devour.

***Amreen uses canned beans and corn…but I’m not a huge fan of canned goods.  Make it whichever way works best for you-it’s delicious!

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Italian Bread Salad (Panzanella)

(another one of Amreena’s joints)

1/2 of a stale baguette (2 days old)
2 tomatoes
1/2 small red onion (finely diced)
1 clove garlic (finely diced)
15 leaves basil (finely chopped)
2 tbsp. capers
1/4 cup water
4-5 tbsp. olive oil
3-4 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Chop baguette into 1 inch cubes.  Place bread cubes in a serving bowl and sprinkle with water until cubes are springy to the touch.  Add remaining ingredients.  If necessary add more water until you get your desired consistency of bread (it should retain its shape and not get too soggy). Refrigerate for 1 hour.  This dish gets more flavorful the longer it marinates.  Enjoy!

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Solome’s Salad Dressing:

In honor of my best friend Solome (do adults have best friends?), I thought I’d post a take on a recipe she gave me for salad dressing. I absolutely love it and use it on salads, sandwiches, and even as a pesto substitute on pasta (with the addition of pine nuts). Also, check out Solome’s amazing work advancing the dignity of children and youth worldwide.

2 cups fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon mustard
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (more if you want it creamier)
salt and black pepper to taste

Here’s a quick and easy salad recipe to go with this dressing:

1 head romaine lettuce
1 cup kalamata olives
1/2 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (great-because they are less acidic than other tomatoes)
1 cucumber (thinly sliced)
1 avocado (I’m addicted to Haas…but that’s just the Cali in me!)

I love you Solome!

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I have been devouring this smoothie all week. Try it and let me know what you think:

Banana Date Shake:
2 ripe bananas
1 cup vanilla almond milk (I like the Almond Breeze brand-found at Trader Joe’s)
4 medjool dates (adjust depending on how sweet you want it)
Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
1/2 cup of ice
Serves 2 people

Blend all ingredients to desired consistency and enjoy!

(All of these items except the ice can be found at Trader Joe’s…gotta love it!)