Scoopable Salad

Ingredients

• 1 red bell pepper, diced small
• ½ small red onion, finely diced
• 1 cup fresh or frozen corn (charred in a dry pan for extra flavour)
• 1 cup diced jicama (or peeled, seeded cucumber if you can't find it)
• Small handful of cilantro, finely chopped (about ¼ cup)
• 2 small tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 1 can (400 g / 15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 60 g feta, crumbled (omit for dairy-free)
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) apple cider vinegar
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) lime juice + zest of 1 lime
• 1 tsp honey (or maple syrup)
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• A few grinds of black pepper
• Optional: 1 small jalapeño, finely diced (deseed for less heat)

Instructions

1. 1

   Dice everything to roughly the same small size — about ¼-inch cubes. This is the whole point of a scoopable salad: every bite carries a little of everything, and a tortilla chip can pick up the full lineup in one scoop.

2. 2

   If you're using corn, char it for a few minutes in a dry pan over high heat until you see brown spots. Let it cool while you prep the rest — this step is what makes the salad taste like more than the sum of its parts.

3. 3

   Combine the bell pepper, red onion, jicama, tomatoes, cilantro, black beans, and cooled corn in a large bowl. Hold back the avocado and feta for now — they go in last so they don't break down.

4. 4

   In a small jar (or measuring cup), shake or whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice and zest, honey, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Taste it — the dressing should land a touch brighter and saltier than you'd serve straight, since the vegetables will mellow it.

5. 5

   Pour the dressing over the salad and toss. Fold in the avocado, crumbled feta, and jalapeño (if using) at the very end with a light hand.

6. 6

   Serve right away with tortilla chips for scooping, piled on toasted sourdough, or alongside grilled chicken or fish.