Picnic Food

I always say that if you want to eat healthy when you're going somewhere, bring something healthy, especially to a picnic. Today my family and I were getting together with some old friends so of course I offered to bring a green salad (my good old stand by) and a black bean and corn salsa/salad. I say salsa/salad because it really can be both. I got the idea from my amazing friend Beka, then changed it up a bit to be more Mexican flavored, and got a few more ideas from this recipe from Rachael Ray. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/black-bean-and-corn-salad-recipe.html I have to give credit where credit is due, so thank you ladies!

Here's my variation on both of their recipes.

Black bean and corn salad
1 1/2 cups black beans made from dry beans or 1 can, 14 ounces, black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups fresh corn kernels
1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 large heirloom tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper

Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, drain off any of the excess liquid. I put a plate over my bowl and just barely left enough of an opening over the side of the bowl to drain the extra liquid into the sink. Serve by itself or with tortilla strips or chips. If you're really ambitious you can bake your own healthier tortilla strips. Enjoy!



Now onto the salad! It couldn't be any easier. 

Spinach Salad
1 large container baby spinach
1/2 red onion, sliced
1 cucumber, sliced
2 cups grape tomatoes

Dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon evaporated cane organic sugar
1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper

Put all of the salad ingredients into a large bowl. Pour all of the dressing ingredients into a mason jar, seal it, and shake away. Pour the dressing over the salad when you're ready to serve. Give it a little toss to coat all of the spinach and enjoy!

Completely optional for the spinach salad would be a few slices of cooked and crumbled uncured turkey bacon and two hard boiled eggs, sliced. Yummy!