Whether it’s the perfect compliment to your favorite dish or just a simple meal in itself, this salad is the ideal kaleidoscope of color and taste. It’s an easy, festive, and nutritious fusion of ingredients and flavors that can be served at any potluck or summer barbecue as a cool salad with a Southwestern flair, or a fabulous salsa for tortilla chips, quesadillas, and cornbread. Add some zest to your gatherings as well as your dining table!
 
Not only is this salad tasty, it’s healthier than other salads. Longana, Goji, and Black Beans are three supplements that (especially when combined) help improve your adrenal, liver, bladder, and kidney functions. In fact, Longana and Goji are popular Chinese herbal fruits often prescribed to women with bladder issues.


Ingredients

3 cups cooked black beans
2 cup Longana
1 cup Goji
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
1 avocado peeled and diced
1 finely chopped jalapeno pepper
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1  medium chopped tomatoes


Directions

1. Rinse and drain half a pound of dried black beans. If you are using canned beans, drain and rinse two 15-ounce cans.
2. Boil the black beans and simmer them for 2 minutes
3. Combine all ingredients: black beans, green onion, corn, avocado, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno, Goji, and Longana in a large salad bowl
4. Add your favorite dressing
5. Toss to coat and chill for at least 2 hours before serving

Comments

For a delicious dinner in a snap, try adding 3 cups of grilled chicken breast or smoked turkey breast (sliced or diced), diced tomatoes, rice, quinoa, pasta (like small bowties), avocado slices, jicama (sliced or cubed), and/or salad greens garnished with a sprig of cilantro. For a nice fruity tang, add a little lime, lemon, or orange juice.
 
This salad is so easy to make, it can even be prepared 24 hours before serving, and it can be made any time of the year. Since fresh sweet corn is most often available between summer and fall, corn-lovers will be happy because you can use frozen or canned corn (rinsed and drained). And be creative - adjust or enhance your salad in so many ways, just maintain the primary ingredients (black beans, Longana and Goji) that really make this recipe special.
 
I hope you’ll enjoy creating your own version of this spectacularly tasty salad!