Gorgeous Guacamole Salad

It is rare that I get so excited about yet another salad.  But this one hit the perfect hot summer night spot with me.  It is another Barefoot Contessa recipe and the flavors practically jump right out of the bowl.

I can't take full credit.  I found the recipe and collected some of the ingredients.  But my husband ran with it and did all of the chopping.  It was spicy and limey with the cold fresh crunch of summer vegetables and the creamy delicious avocado. 

Guacamole Salad, Barefoot Contessa 
I found the recipe here

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and 1/2-inch diced
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup small diced red onion
2 tablespoons minced jalapeno peppers, seeded (2 peppers)
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 ripe Hass avocados, seeded, peeled, and 1/2-inch diced

Place the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeno peppers, and lime zest in a large bowl. Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic, and cayenne pepper and pour over the vegetables. Toss well.
Just before you're ready to serve the salad, fold the avocados into the salad. Check the seasoning and serve at room temperature.  (I am going to say this serves 6 as a side dish and four as an entree salad)

Don't skimp on the lime juice or the salt - together they really amp up the overall flavors.  The black beans added just the right amount of protein to make this our entree, paired with crusty slices of Jim Leahy's No Knead Bread (below - yes, I made that!)  which I made the first time the other day. 

I know, I am just two years behind the curve on that recipe but I promise to make up for it by making it as often as we can scarf it down.   I am a bread making novice and this one is a gentle beginner recipe.

Enjoy.

Comments

[recipes2share]

Lucky you having help to prepare! Sounds like a great cooling summer salad.

[Olga]

That looks really good! I just had a similar salad but with corn from Mark Bittman: http://bittmaninmykitchen.blogspot.com/2008/06/corn-salad.html

[Kim]

I am a real Barefoot Fan, she has never let me down. Enjoyed my visit.

[Erin]

Isn't that bread amazing??? I love making it too. I have to wait for a cooler day, though. It's going to be almost 110 for me. I'd love that guac salad-I've had my eye on that one!

[Home with Mandy]

This looks so YUMMY! Thanks for sharing, I'm adding it to my list of foods I want to try and make.

[Renovation Therapy]

I need a bowl of that, immediately!