Chopped Mexican Salad with Roasted Peppers, Corn, Tomatoes & Avocado

Chopped salads are a beautiful way to show of summer's terrific produce. Each ingredient is interesting to eat and taste, and together they combine to give you something even better.

The vinaigrette used here is also available as a standalone recipe: Honey-Lime-Cumin Vinaigrette.

Ingredients

• 2 large orange or red bell peppers
• 2 ears fresh corn
• 1 Tbs. (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small clove garlic
• Kosher salt
• 3 Tbs. (45 ml) fresh lime juice
• 3 Tbs. (45 ml) fresh orange juice
• 2 tsp. (10 ml) finely chopped shallot
• 1 Tbs. (15 ml) honey; more to taste
• 3/4 tsp. (4 ml) cumin seeds, toasted and finely ground
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large firm-ripe tomatoes, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch (1 cm) dice (about 1-3/4 cup (240-180 ml))
• 1 small jícama, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch (1 cm) dice (2 cups)
• 2 large firm-ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/4-inch (1 cm) dice (about 2-1/2 cups (480-120 ml))
• 1 15-oz. (430 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed (or 1-1/2 cups (240-120 ml) home-cooked black beans)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Method

1. To roast the peppers and corn, position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 425ºF. Line a heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet with foil.
2. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the stem, seed core, and ribs. Put the pepper halves on the baking sheet cut side down. Husk the corn and put the ears on the baking sheet.
3. Drizzle the oil over the peppers and corn and rub it around to coat the pepper skins and corn kernels evenly. Sprinkle the corn with salt and pepper.
4. Roast in the oven until the peppers are soft and slightly shriveled and browned and the corn kernels are lightly browned in a few spots, about 20 minutes, rotating the corn occasionally as it roasts.
5. When the vegetables are done, let them rest until cool enough to handle. Scrape away the pepper skin and cut the flesh into 1/2-inch (1 cm) dice. Cut the corn kernels from the cob; you should have about 1-1/2 cups (240-120 ml) kernels.
6. To make the vinaigrette, mince and mash the garlic to a paste with 1/4 tsp. (1 ml) kosher salt. In a medium bowl, whisk the garlic paste with the lime and orange juices, shallot, honey, and toasted ground cumin.
7. Slowly add the oil in a thin stream, whisking until well blended. Season to taste with black pepper and more salt and honey, if you like.
8. To assemble, artfully arrange the corn, tomatoes, peppers, jícama, avocado, and black beans in stripes or piles on a small platter or other wide, shallow serving dish. Sprinkle with the chopped cilantro.
9. Serve the vinaigrette in a pitcher and encourage guests to spoon elements of the salad onto their plates and drizzle on some of the vinaigrette. Alternatively, drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad platter just before serving.

Make Ahead Tips

You can chop all the salad ingredients up to four hours ahead and store them, covered, in the fridge.