Black Bean and Corn Salad

             Ingredients Shown

                    ~ plus ~

  zest and juice of 1 lemon or lime

1-2T fruity white balsamic vinegar

  sweet onion, celery, fresh garlic

     fresh ground salt and pepper

Not much measuring this time, just drain and rinse black beans, rinse the corn and combine in a medium bowl.  I show a can of tomatoes, but decided to use 3 small fresh ones, since I have so many.  ( If you use canned, drain the juice into a glass.  Add a little lemon juice, vodka, hot sauce, seasonings and ice, for an interesting little Bloody Mary to sip on while you cook :-D )

Chop the tomatoes, add the onion and garlic, then the zest and juice, and drizzle with the oil and vinegar.  Toss, let chill an hour or so, toss again, garnish with avocado and serve as a salad or a very chunky dip for some sturdy chips.  You could also begin this whole process by mashing the avocado, stirring in the juice, other liquids, minced spicy-heat and crunch elements, and seasonings, to create sort of a dressing, before adding the vegetables.  It's always fun to try a recipe a couple different ways. . .Lin