We’ve been a little obsessed with corn lately. We go to the farm market diligently on weekends and cart home ears and ears intensely sweet sweetcorn. In essence, this summer will go down as the one where we rediscovered corn! I made creamed corn for breakfast last weekend; this time with fresh corn, custard powder, coconut milk and lots of nutmeg. I sat out on my breezy little balcony and enjoyed it while watching the street come to life.

Lunch on Sundays is usually a salad, made with whatever produce we’ve managed to grab from the market. Since it’s summer and corn is at its peak, there is likely be corn in our summer salads; It never gets boring.
I was thinking of a fresh hearty and vibrant seasonal salad with this roasted potato and cranberry bean salad. I’ve always liked the idea of beans and potatoes as the herbivore’s version of meat and potatoes.

Delicate cranberry beans, sweet and creamy with its pretty pink flecks also pop up at the market around this time of year. It’s hard to resist the speckled pink pods. Similarly, new potatoes are in too; I like to pick small marble-sized nuggets for salads.

These potatoes are roasted in a bit of salt and salad dressing, they can also be cooked (in a pot of water on stove) until tender then tossed in a skillet with the dressing.
The beauty of these types of salads is that you can build it using your favourite seasonal vegetables. Potato, beans and corn are the headliners here; I toss in some tomato, onion and sweet peppers for substance and texture, but I envision many other tasty veggie variations.

Smoked paprika and mushroom powder enlivens the simple vinaigrette that goes with this salad. Like I mentioned earlier, some even gets tossed in with the potatoes before roasting.
The tip for adding paprika and other peppery spices to dressing came from owner of the little Middle Eastern store in my neighbourhood years ago after he introduced me to Aleppo pepper. He would proudly declare that his was the authentic pepper from Aleppo, and would suggest a few ways to use it. He obviously doesn’t carry it anymore, and I stopped asking for it because it just feels hopeless.

Similarly, I’ve used half and half of Ras el Hanout and smoked paprika in dressings for a warm smoky effect. Dried porcini or Portobello mushroom powder adds an incredibly savoury and flavourful depth to this vinaigrette.

With the summer heat in full force, I like to roast the potatoes and cook the beans and corn, and do all other prep involving heat, in the quiet cooler mornings before it gets too hot. It’s additionally great for later on when I need to assemble the salad in a rush. Once we’re well fed and satiated, we pack whatever is left over (usually a lot!) in jars for lunch throughout the week – it’s perfect!

Roasted Potato and Cranberry Bean Summer Salad

2016-08-19 15:28:28

This vibrant and tasty salad filled with nourishing summer veggies is also hearty, so it'll fill you up!

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For vinaigrette

1. 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2. 1/4 cup red wine or sherry vinegar
3. 3 garlic cloves, minced
4. 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
5. 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
6. 1 teaspoon ground dried mushroom powder, optional
7. Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For salad

1. 1 1/2 pound small new potatoes
2. 2 tablespoons vinaigrette
3. 2 cups shelled fresh cranberry beans (about 2 1/2 lb in pods)
4. 1 teaspoon salt
5. 2 cups fresh sweet corn (about 3 – 4 ears), shucked and silks removed
6. 1 red onion, chopped
7. 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
8. 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or 1/2 cup slow roasted tomatoes
9. 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
10. Handful of roasted peanuts
11. Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. To make vinaigrette, put oil, vinegar, shallot, mustard, paprika, mushroom powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl or jar with tight-fitting lid. Whisk or shake until well combined.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F., and and lightly grease a foil-lined roasting tray
3. Toss potatoes with salt and vinaigrette in a bowl
4. Spread potatoes onto roasting tray in a single layer
5. Roast for 30 – 35 minutes until tender and slightly golden, and a toothpick slips in easily, stir halfway through
6. Meanwhile, over medium-high heat, bring a large pot of water to boil
7. Add cranberry beans to boiling water and cook until tender, about 10 - 15 minutes
8. Add salt, cook for another 2 – 3 minutes then take off heat
9. Leave beans to cool in its water, drain when ready to use
10. To cook corn, Roast them (see notes) or add corn to a large pot of salted water, cover and cook for 8 - 10 minutes (you’ll smell the corn when it’s done), use a sharp knife to cut the kernels off the cob
11. In a large mixing bowl, combine potatoes, beans, corn, onion, bell pepper and tomatoes, toss gently
12. Add parsley and half of vinaigrette, and toss gently to coat
13. Serve with roasted peanut and more vinaigrette
14. Enjoy!

NOTES

1. To cook corn in oven, salt corn (and slather with butter if desired), wrap in foil, place on baking sheet and roast in a 400 degree oven for 20 – 25 minutes

By Elsa Brobbey | the whinery

the Whinery by Elsa Brobbey https://elsbro.com/blog/

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