Mango and Black Bean Salad

Full of refreshing mango, this is a salad I normally make in the heart of the summer for picnics, potlucks and family gatherings at the lake.  When my husband recently came home from a work trip in Brazil with a big bag of mangoes, I immediately thought of this tangy and sweet salad.  I have been dreaming of the tropics.  Enough with this snow already!

This salad is awesome served on its own in a big bowl or on top of a bed of mixed greens or brown rice.  We have even enjoyed it as a topping for a veggie burger.  I tend to make it slightly different each time depending on the ingredients I have in the house.  Try, too, adding a cup of organic corn kernels, chopped avocados and a small handful of chopped parsley.

MANGO AND BLACK BEAN SALAD

• 2 cups of cooked black beans*
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
• 1 orange pepper, chopped
• 1 mango, diced

Dressing:

• 1 garlic clove, pressed
• 1 small red chilli pepper, chopped finely (or use a good pinch of crushed red peppers)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil OR 1/4 cup of garlic and chilli flax oil

Combine all ingredients in large bowl.  Top with dressing and toss lightly.

*If you own a crock pot, save the time and money by making slow cooker black beans.  Thanks to a recent post by dawdling darlings, I now keep a container of cooked black beans in my freezer for future recipes. These beans add protein plus fiber to any dish.  If choosing canned beans, I recommend Eden beans, as their cans are BPA-free.