Ingredients:

  • 2 (15 oz) cans Black Beans (rinsed well and drained)
  • 1 cup Sweet Corn (canned or frozen, thawed and drained)
  • 1 large Red Bell Pepper (finely diced)
  • 1 medium Green Bell Pepper (finely diced)
  • 3 medium Roma Tomatoes (seeded and diced)
  • 1/2 small Red Onion (finely minced)
  • 1 small Jalapeño Pepper (finely minced, seeds removed for less heat)
  • 1/2 cup Fresh Cilantro (roughly chopped)
  • 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Lime Juice (about 2-3 limes)
  • 2 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp Granulated Sugar or Honey
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Chili Powder (Mild)
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Salt (Kosher or Sea)
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)

Instructions:

  1. Drain and Rinse: Place the black beans into a colander and rinse them thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain completely.
  2. Dice the Vegetables: Using a sharp knife, dice all the fresh vegetables (bell peppers, tomatoes, and red onion) into uniform, small pieces (approx. 1/4 inch / 6 mm). Finely mince the jalapeño and cilantro. Uniform dicing ensures a pleasant texture.
  3. Combine Base: Transfer the drained beans, corn, and all the prepared diced vegetables (peppers, onion, tomatoes, jalapeño) into a large mixing bowl. Reserve the fresh cilantro for the final step.
  4. Whisk Vinaigrette: In a separate small bowl, combine the olive oil, fresh lime juice, and red wine vinegar. Add the sugar, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  5. Emulsify Dressing: Whisk the vinaigrette mixture vigorously until the sugar is dissolved and the dressing looks slightly cloudy and well-combined (emulsified). Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
  6. Dress and Chill: Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the bean and vegetable mixture. Gently toss to ensure everything is evenly coated. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen.
  7. Finish and Serve: Just before serving, stir in the fresh chopped cilantro. Taste the Cowboy Caviar again and adjust the salt or lime juice if needed. Serve immediately with tortilla chips or as a side dish.