Craving a meal that's both incredibly delicious and nutritionally packed? Look no further than this Black Bean and Millet Salad – a vibrant, zesty dish that promises to revolutionize your healthy eating journey! Bursting with protein-rich black beans, nutty millet, and a tantalizing lime-cumin dressing, this recipe is about to become your new obsession. Whether you're a health enthusiast, a flavor seeker, or simply someone looking for a quick and satisfying meal, this Mexican-inspired salad is your ticket to culinary bliss.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked millet
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by preparing the millet. If you haven't cooked it yet, rinse 1 cup of millet under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed millet with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the millet is fluffy. Remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- While the millet is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Rinse and drain the can of black beans. Dice the red bell pepper and chop the red onion. Finely chop the fresh cilantro.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked millet, black beans, diced red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and chopped cilantro. Mix gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, cumin, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
- Pour the lime juice mixture over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lime juice if desired.
- Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving. This salad can be served chilled or at room temperature.
- Serve the Black Bean and Millet Salad in individual bowls or on a large serving platter. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired. Enjoy your healthy and flavorful Mexican-inspired salad!
Tips
- Millet Mastery: Rinse your millet thoroughly before cooking to remove any bitter coating. Use a 2:1 water to millet ratio for perfectly fluffy grains.
- Bean Brilliance: Always drain and rinse canned black beans to reduce sodium and remove excess starch.
- Flavor Boost: Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes after dressing to allow the ingredients to marinate and flavors to intensify.
- Customization Corner: Feel free to add diced avocado, roasted corn, or swap cilantro with fresh parsley if desired.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Serving Suggestion: For extra protein, top with grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to transform this side dish into a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 154kcal
Carbohydrates: 29g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
