If you're looking for a fresh, nutritious, and easy-to-make recipe, this Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad with Spicy Lime Vinaigrette will charm you! It combines warm, roasted vegetables with aromatic spices, a citrus-spicy dressing, and fiber-rich ingredients. It's suitable for both a main course and a filling side dish.
Besides being delicious, it is also extremely convenient to prepare in advance - it stores well in the refrigerator and is an ideal choice for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
Ingredients:
For the salad:
- 2 sweet potatoes, diced;
- 6 cloves of garlic, unpeeled;
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped;
- 1 red pepper, diced;
- 2 cups cooked black beans ;
- 1/4 tsp chopped fresh coriander (can be replaced with parsley);
- 8 cups green leafy vegetables (optional);
- Sea salt to taste.
For the spicy lime “vinaigrette”:
- 1/2 tsp. loosely picked coriander leaves;
- 2 tbsp. lime juice;
- 2 tablespoons raw honey;
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt ;
- 2 cloves of garlic;
- 1/2 ripe jalapeno (optional);
- 1/2 cup water.
Method of preparation:
Preheat the oven to 220°C.
Spread the sliced sweet potatoes and unpeeled garlic cloves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
Peel and chop the roasted garlic (be careful not to burn yourself).
In a bowl, combine the baked sweet potatoes, red onion, red pepper, chopped garlic, and black beans . Mix well.
To prepare the spicy lime vinaigrette, place all the dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until you get a smooth, light sauce.
The salad can be served warm or chilled. Just before serving, pour the vinaigrette over the sweet potato and black bean mixture and toss. Serve sprinkled with chopped cilantro over a bed of leafy greens. Add a little more sea salt to taste, if desired.
TIPS:
It's best to taste a small piece of the jalapeno first to gauge how hot it is. For a spicier dressing, use a larger piece of the jalapeno. For a milder flavor, use a smaller piece and remove the seeds, as these contain the main heat. If you can't find a ripe red jalapeno, you can use another type of ripe chili pepper .
