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In celebration of Vegan MoFo, I’m doing a month of themed dinner party ideas! The theme of the first week is… The Wizard of Oz! Read on for a recipe for Corn & Black Bean Salad, courtesy of the Scarecrow!
This filling corn and black bean salad is a great addition to a vegan potluck or picnic. It’s loaded with black beans, corn, and red bell pepper. With a finish of lime juice and cilantro, it can be eaten on its own as a cold salad, or serve it with tortilla chips for dipping.
When you’re stuck on a pole for months on end, you get a lot of time with your thoughts. After all, how do you think Santa gets all of those good ideas for snickering Elmo’s and blinking Furby’s? (Wrong kind of pole? Oops. Beg pardon.)
Well, the Scarecrow was no different. He’d look out over the vast fields of corn and imagine all of the ways he could cook with it. He’d make corn on the cob, creamy polenta, cornmeal crust pizzas, and corn chowder.
Why, with one pull of the nail that was so uncomfortably wedged at his spine… (singing) He could while away the hours, cooking with corn flours, right on the yellow lane. He could stir and be merry (while, of course, avoiding dairy) if he only had that grain.
Oh, yes, and then there was also the matter of straw stuffed under his cap where a brain should be… If only he could get to Oz. Oz always had loads of ideas on brain and body wellness.
On his way the Scarecrow would grab some corn. He’d meet up with the soothsayer himself, get his wish granted, and he’d dedicate his life to eating more brain food. (Might as well make the most of what he’s got.)
So when Dorothy came by with a big plan on how to meet Oz himself, well, of course, he was only too eager to stumble along. He was surprised when they went in the direction away from the Big Apple and towards the Emerald City, but what did he know of directions? He was still using Mapquest for goodness sake.
When they got there, you can only imagine his disappointment when the Oz of his imaginations, the one with connections to Oprah (not Ozma), was nowhere to be found. Instead, he was handed a paper diploma and sent on his way.
But the Scarecrow pushed on. After waving goodbye to Dorothy, he returned to his field, shucked a few ears of corn (with its zeaxanthin), added black beans (a brain food full of anthocyanin that boosts memory and brain function), squeezed on lime, and added a handful of cilantro.
Sure, he was bummed he never got to see the Great and Powerful Dr. Oz himself, but he’s not writing off Oprah spinoffs altogether. Next, he’s set his sights on Gayle. He’s always had luck with that name.
Corn and black bean salad
Remember this filling corn and black bean salad for your next vegan potluck, picnic, or cookout. It is served at room temperature and packed with black beans, corn, and red bell pepper.
With a finish of lime juice and cilantro, it can be eaten on its own or serve it with tortilla chips for dipping.
How to make corn & black bean salad
Corn and black bean salad is a fool-proof potluck side dish or main. To make it, simply combine chopped red bell pepper, corn, beans, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper. Garnish with more fresh cilantro and serve.
Southwestern corn & black bean salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 medium-sized red bell pepper chopped small
- 1 cup corn frozen or fresh
- 1 1/2 cups black beans 1 15 ounce can, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 lime juiced (about 1 Tablespoon)
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1-2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro minced plus extra for garnish
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl, garnish with cilantro, and serve.
Nutrition
JL says
October 2, 2012 at 3:33 pmClever theme and fabulous looking salad = Vegan MoFo win!
Cadry says
October 3, 2012 at 8:51 amThanks, JL! I appreciate it!
VeganLisa says
October 2, 2012 at 4:09 pmYou’re such a beautiful genius! Clever, caring and you can cook. Happy MoFo my friend. I love reading your posts – I’m actually staying up too late in Paris to catch up.
Cadry says
October 3, 2012 at 8:52 amOh, Lisa, what a sweet thing to say! You’ve totally made my day. I’m sure you’re having a marvelous time in Paris, and I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Janae @ Bring-Joy says
October 2, 2012 at 4:16 pmI’m totally into food like this. Simple & so delicious. (I loved your wicked witch of the west smoothie video, btw–you’re great in front of the camera!)
Cadry says
October 3, 2012 at 8:54 amYes, there’s something to be said for simple, whole ingredients. They come together quickly with no fuss but lots of fresh flavor. Thanks for the lovely comments about the video! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Mel says
October 2, 2012 at 6:54 pmI love your take on the scarecrow’s song and the salad fits in perfectly with your theme. Your husband’s scarecrow costume is great too!
Cadry says
October 3, 2012 at 8:56 amThanks, Mel! My mom made that costume about 20 years ago! I bet she never would have guessed that someday my future husband would be wearing it. 🙂
Andrea says
October 2, 2012 at 8:07 pmI’m sure Dr. Oz would be honored to find himself in your post! So funny. The black bean salad sounds perfectly healthy and delicious.
Cadry says
October 3, 2012 at 8:58 amThanks, Andrea! I trust that Dr. Oz will include being on Cadry’s Kitchen on his resume. 😉
Bobbie {the vegan crew} says
October 2, 2012 at 10:10 pmSuch a pretty salad, and I love the presentation in the corn husks!
Cadry says
October 3, 2012 at 8:59 amThank you, Bobbie! Now I’ve finally made use of the corn husks that I bought many moons ago to make the tamales from Viva Vegan. Oh, well. At least the package has been opened. 😀
Abby Cohen says
October 3, 2012 at 5:30 amI love this! Thinking of more corn products for the Scarecrow: hominy, masa harina . …
Cadry says
October 3, 2012 at 9:01 amWith masa harina and the above corn husks, maybe the Scarecrow will make tamales! Then he could make those little creamy corn cakes that they have at Mexican restaurants, and of course, he could drink loads of high fructose corn syrup. 😉
GiGi says
October 3, 2012 at 9:56 amHmmm, good thing I came back here, I commented on this fantastic post yesterday but it must have disappeared into the Ozmosphere. haha, I married a guy with brains, who dresses up in funny costumes, oh wait that’s not a costume David is wearing is it. I’m sorry 😉 Is Dr. Oz the new wizard? Where Opie?
Super fun post and lovely tablescape/salad.
Cadry says
October 3, 2012 at 7:17 pmThanks, Gigi! I’ve always enjoyed men who aren’t afraid to have fun and be silly, and David has that in spades! 😀
Ashley F. says
October 3, 2012 at 11:32 amYummy! Looks simple and the presentation is lovely!
Cadry says
October 3, 2012 at 7:18 pmThank you, Ashley!
Cara says
October 3, 2012 at 3:38 pmThis is HILARIOUS! I love how your husband, er The Scarecrow, is resting his elbow on Oz’s hip. My favorite post so far 🙂
Cadry says
October 4, 2012 at 9:13 amThanks, Cara! Yes, my husband and Mehmet are very close. 😉
Mandee says
October 3, 2012 at 5:36 pmThese posts are so entertaining! And that salad looks delicious, perfect for spring or summer!
Cadry says
October 4, 2012 at 11:43 amThank you, Mandee! I’ve also been enjoying the salad as a topping on massaged kale or served with blue corn chips.
Kristy says
October 3, 2012 at 5:57 pmI’m with Cara- those pictures of “the Scarecrow” had me cracking up! You definitely married a good man!
I used to make a black bean and corn salsa all the time and this just reminded me that it’s been a few years. Black beans and corn- what a great pair!
Cadry says
October 4, 2012 at 11:44 amI know! One of my favorite things about David is how game he is to do whatever. I definitely appreciate that about him! It’s not every man who would don a scarecrow costume my mom made 20 years ago for a photo shoot! 😀
Maggie Muggins says
October 3, 2012 at 10:51 pmYou really know how to get into the mind of the scarecrow, ha ha. Nicely done! That corn & black bean salad looks delish.
Cadry says
October 4, 2012 at 11:45 amToo funny! Thanks, Maggie!
Sarah K. says
October 3, 2012 at 11:07 pmHi Cadry, I am really happy I won the EZ Tofu press. What do I do to collect my prize?
Cadry says
October 4, 2012 at 7:32 amHi, Sarah! Congrats on your win! I sent you an email a couple of days ago, but perhaps it went to your spam folder. Just email me with the address where you’d like the press sent, and the EZ Tofu Press people will ship it to you. My email address is: cadryskitchen@gmail.com
Sihi says
October 3, 2012 at 11:12 pmAwesome theme and such a lovely looking salad!
Best,
Sihi
Cadry says
October 4, 2012 at 11:47 amThanks so much, Sihi!