Edamame Salad with Homemade Garlic Cilantro Vinaigrette

This bright summer salad showcases farm fresh local produce such as tomatoes, corn, cilantro, garlic, jalapenos, and onion, as well as its star ingredient: fresh edamame. Experimenting with different ways to prepare the delicious edamame we grow on my family farm, I stumbled upon this cold salad combination and it has been a huge hit. I’m sure that frozen produce can be substituted for many of the fresh ingredients this recipe calls for; however, you can’t beat the taste of fresh local produce. Remember to frequent area farmer’s markets whenever the season permits!

Step: 1

Fill a large pot half full with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Add corn cobs and return to a boil. Cook until corn is softened but still firm, about 5 minutes. Remove from pot; rinse with cold water until cool enough to handle. Cut kernels from the cob with a sharp knife; place into a large mixing bowl.

Step: 2

Place edamame into a large pot; pour in 2- to 3-inches of water. Cover; bring to a boil. Steam edamame until shells are softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain; let cool. Squeeze the center of each pod to pop the edamame out into a bowl.

Step: 3

Mix edamame, black beans, tomatoes, and onion into the corn kernels; season with salt and pepper.

Step: 4

Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven’s broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; place jalapeno skin side up on the baking sheet.

Step: 5

Roast jalapeno in the preheated oven until outer skin is charred, about 5 minutes; mince with a sharp knife.

Step: 6

Combine olive oil, garlic, roasted jalapeno, lemon juice, cilantro, balsamic vinegar, and cumin in a bowl; whisk until well mixed. Pour over vegetable mixture; stir until vegetables are coated.

Per Serving: 158 calories; protein 3.1g; carbohydrates 13.1g; fat 11.1g; sodium 119.1mg.

The most obvious way to pick a side dish is to look at your main dish (pasta, chicken, seared tofu) and choose something different. When you’re making pasta, make sure for a simple healthy dish . Made steak? Go for more light. If you’re making stir-fry with rice, it must not a good idea to also make a rice salad.

This also can apply to cooking method . You don’t want to overcommit your oven by scheduling three dishes at once in there, or be rounding four pans on the stovetop . But sometimes you can made a dish do more often .