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Black Bean, Corn & Avocado Salad

Posted on July 18, 2021

Bean, corn and avocado salad in a large white platter

Black Bean, Corn and Avocado Salad

Take one can of black beans and dress it up with corn, tomatoes, and creamy avocado. The lime juice vinaigrette and cilantro give this vibrant salad a fantastic fresh flavour.

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 0 mins

Course Salad

Cuisine Vegan, Vegetarian

Ingredients

Salad

1 can (19oz/540mL) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn (fresh, canned or frozen thawed)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (quartered)
1/2 small red onion, diced
1 avocado, diced
1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped Add more cilantro if you like!

Dressing

1/3 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
3 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

Gently toss salad ingredients ina large serving bowl.
Whisk dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
Pour the dressing over the bean salad and toss to coat.

Keyword avocado, avocado salad, bean salad, Black Bean, Corn & Avocado Salad, black beans, corn, lime, quinoa and beet salad, summer salad

Product Review: Catelli Gluten-free Pasta

Posted on December 15, 2013

Although I don’t have celiac disease, I do like to try different gluten-free foods every now and then for variety. Quinoa, rice noodles, brown rice and buckwheat noodles are already staples in my house. A few weeks ago, I was delighted to receive a free sample of Catelli Gluten-free fusilli. I had served different types of gluten-free rice pasta in the past, but the texture just wasn’t a winner with my kids.

This gluten-free fusilli is made from the flour of four grains: white rice, brown rice, corn and quinoa. In 1¼ cup (85 grams) of the dry fusilli, you’ll get 310 calories, 2 grams of fat, 66 grams of carbs, 6 grams of protein, 0 sodium, 3 grams of fibre and 6% DV for iron. It’s nutrition profile is similar to regular enriched white pasta except that the gluten-free fusilli is much lower in B vitamins and iron because, like most gluten-free products, Catelli’s gluten-free pasta isn’t made with enriched flours.

There were three cooking times suggested on the package: 7 minutes for very firm; 8 minutes for firm; and 9 minutes for tender. I taste tested the pasta at each stage and must say that they were right on the mark! And what about the taste? Both of my kids gave the product a “thumbs up”, and so did I! Both the taste and texture were just as the package promised – delightful!

Product Review: Sunbites

Posted on December 10, 2013

Hands-down, one of my favourite summer veggies is corn on the cob. So when I was asked to taste test a new corn on the cob product called Sunbites, I jumped at the chance. I received the box of Sunbites on a cold winter’s day, and when I opened it up, it literally felt like a ray of sunshine was beaming out. I had to smile.

Developed by Lassonde, the corn is picked fresh, pre-cooked and vacuum-sealed within 24 hours. The innovative vacuum seal packaging claims to preserve the corn’s sweetness and taste. One cob has 180 calories, 3 grams of fibre and 15% DV for vitamin C. I cooked the Sunbites corn as per the instructions and was very pleased with the sweetness. The texture however was a little on the mushy side. I also noticed that the corn has best before date of about one year, which seems rather long for fresh produce. When I inquired about this, I was told that the corn is first pasteurized before being vacuum-sealed which extends its refrigeration life.

Bottom line: While nothing compares fresh summertime corn on the cob, Sunbites is a nice alternative to brighten up the winter. You can find it in selected grocery stores across Canada in the refrigerated produce section.