Black Bean and Quinoa Salad with Fresh Mango and a Chaat Masala Dressing

Bean salads are a simple, healthy and fuss-free way to enjoy outdoor eating in the summer, but for many of us a bean salad means only a bland and unimaginative store-bought side dish. Incorporating grains and vegetables into a homemade bean salad raises it up to the level of a complete and easy outdoor meal, but adding layers of contrasting textures, colors, flavors and seasonings is what really elevates the common bean salad to a starring dish.

This salad scores on all counts by combining tender and earthy black beans, wholesome and nutty quinoa, sweet yellow fresh corn and tangy juicy mango, crunchy fresh red and hot green peppers, and fresh garden parsley and mint into a vibrant, refreshing and healthy summer meal. Best of all, its seasoned with a zesty dressing made with lemon juice, smoky roasted cumin, and chaat masala — a wonderful hot, sour and salty spice blend from northern India made with amchoor (dried mango powder) and rock salt. You'll want to keep the recipe for this dressing on hand for any salad containing fresh sweet vegetables or fruits.

Black Bean and Quinoa Salad with Fresh Mango and a Chaat Masala Dressing

Recipe by Lisa Turner
Published on June 4, 2013

Vibrant, refreshing and healthy summer salad with black beans, quinoa and fresh mango tossed with a roasted cumin and chaat masala dressing

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Salad:

2 cups cooked black beans (2/3 cup dried or 1 19 oz can)
2 cups cooked quinoa (2/3 cup dried)
corn from 1 ear or 3/4 cup frozen and defrosted corn
1 red mango, peeled and chopped
1 stalk celery, diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 to 2 jalapeños, seeded and diced
2 scallions, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

Dressing:

1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup olive oil
juice from 1 lemon (3 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon chaat masala
1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

Instructions:

If cooking beans for the salad, rinse and soak overnight covered in several inches of water with a little yogurt whey or lemon juice added. Drain and rinse, then transfer to a medium saucepan and cover with several inches of fresh water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour or until the beans are tender but not falling apart. Drain and set aside to cool to room temperature.
If cooking quinoa for the salad, rinse under cold running water and soak overnight in 1 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool to room temperature.
If using a fresh ear of corn, cook to preference (boiling, roasting or grilling). I like to roast corn by placing the unhusked ear on a baking sheet and roasting in a 450° oven for 30 minutes, then letting cool for another 30 minutes before removing the husks and paring the kernels from the cob.
Start preparing the dressing by dry roasting the ground cumin in a small pan over low heat, tossing or stirring frequently, for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cumin has darkened a shade or two and has a light smoky fragrance. Whisk together the cumin and remaining dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
Combine the beans, quinoa, corn and vegetables in a large mixing bowl and stir gently to combine. Toss in the parsley or cilantro and mint. Pour in the dressing and stir gently to mix.
Serve at room temperature or chill for 1 hour or longer to serve cold.

Makes 6 to 8 servings