Southwest Black Bean Salad with Smokey Salsa Vinaigrette

This recipe came from Olson's Grocery store here in the Seattle area. I get requests for this recipe every time I take it to a potluck. You can make the vinaigrette ahead of time and just throw the rest of the salad together at the last minute.

• Ready In: 1 hr 35 mins
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• Salad

• 1  lb  black turtle beans
• 1  cup frozen corn kernels
• 1⁄2 cup  finely minced red onion
• 1⁄2 cup  diced red bell pepper
• 1⁄2 cup  diced green bell pepper
• 3⁄4 cup  prepared salsa
• 1⁄4 cup  finely chopped fresh cilantro

• Salsa vinaigrette

• 2  tablespoons chipotle paste (see note)
• 1⁄2 cup  prepared salsa
• 1  tablespoon chili powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  fresh, minced oregano or 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1  tablespoon kosher salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1  teaspoon  finely minced garlic
• 3  tablespoons lemon juice
• 3  tablespoons lime juice
• 1⁄2 cup red wine vinegar
• 2  cups canola oil

Directions

1. To prepare the salad: Rinse the beans.
2. Soak in lots of water to cover overnight, or cover with boiling water and let sit 1 hour.
3. Drain.
4. Place beans in a large saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil over medium heat.
5. Lower the heat and let simmer about 50 minutes, or until beans are tender.
6. Add more water if necessary during the cooking time.
7. Drain and rinse with cold water.
8. Combine the beans, corn, onion, red and green bell peppers, 3/4 cup salsa and cilantro.
9. To prepare the vinaigrette: In a food processor, combine the chipotle chili paste, 1/2 cup salsa, chili powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon and lime juice and vinegar.
10. Slowly add the oil, processing until emulsified.
11. (This will make about 3 cups vinaigrette; store excess in covered jar in refrigerator. This will keep almost indefinately.) Pour 1-1/2 cups dressing over the salad, stirrring well.
12. Cover and chill 3-4 hours before serving.
13. Note: To make the chili paste, process a 7.
14. 5 ounce can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in a food processor or blender.
15. (The peppers can be found in Mexican markets or at some supermarkets).
16. Transfer to a jar, cover and store in refrigerator.
17. (I just throw the chipotle chilis in the blender with the rest of the vinaigrette ingredients).