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Mexican Sweet Potato & Black Bean Salad

Reprinted with permission from Catherine Walthers; Raising the Salad Bar, Lake Isle Press, 2007 One of our frequent outdoor vacation destinations is Bethel, Maine, home of Sunday River Ski Resort and one of our favorite eating spots: Café DiCocoa. The café’s ever-changing breakfast and lunch menu can include fresh peach scones, homemade bagels, vegetable frittatas, soups and a variety of salads, all made with fresh ingredients by a very creative chef/owner, Cathi DiCocco. One café favorite is this combo of roasted sweet potatoes, corn and black beans with a uniquely delicious chipotle-sweet chile sauce dressing. - Catherine Walthers
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Ingredients

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chile powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Kernels from 3 to 4 ears of fresh corn or 2 cups frozen kernels
  • 2 cups cooked black beans rinsed and drained (canned is fine)
  • 3 or 4 scallions thinly sliced
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • Chipotle-Chile Dressing
  • 1 chipotle chile from a can of chipotles in adobo
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons Thai sweet chile sauce such as Maesri brand
  • 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • ½ cup canola oil

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 375?. In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato chunks with the oil to lightly coat them. Sprinkle with coriander, cumin, chile powder and salt and toss again. Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until they are golden at the edges and just tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, microwave the corn in a small amount of water for 3 to 5 minutes, or steam it for 3 or 4 minutes. Drain excess water. In a large serving bowl, combine the corn and black beans.
  • 2. To make the dressing, in a blender or food processor, place the chipotle chile, garlic and sweet chile sauce. Process until mixture is smooth. Add the lime juice and process again. With the machine running, slowly add the canola oil and process dressing until it is emulsified.
  • 3. When the sweet potatoes are done, let cool slightly and add them to the corn and beans. Add scallions and cilantro; gently toss. Pour enough dressing over the salad to just moisten the ingredients and toss again.