Ingredients

• 2 heads Boston lettuce, leaves separated, washed, and dried3 ripe tomatoes, sliced
• 1 large sweet onion, peeled, halved, and thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, or more to taste
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small bunch fresh cilantro, leaves only

• Optional ingredients:
• Canned or jarred hearts of palm, drained and sliced
• Sliced ripe avocado
• Sliced cucumbers
• Sliced fresh mushrooms
• Canned or jarred artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
• Fresh green beans or haricots verts, trimmed, steamed until tender-crisp

Directions

Step 1

Arrange the lettuce leaves, tomatoes, onions, and any of the optional ingredients, if desired, on a large plate or platter. Top with the cilantro leaves. 

Step 2

Make the vinaigrette: Combine the lemon juice and salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk to mix. Whisk in the olive oil and adjust the seasonings, adding more lemon juice or salt or pepper if needed. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried black beans
• 1 small onion, peeled
• 1 small carrot, peeled
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 cloves garlic, unpeeled
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 ears grilled or boiled corn, kernels cut off
• 2 grilled red peppers, finely diced
• 8 green onions, white and green parts thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste

Directions

Step 1

Place the beans, onion, carrot, bay leaf, and garlic in a large saucepan and add water until the beans are covered by about an inch. Bring to a boil, then partially cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the beans are almost tender, about 2 hours, adding water as needed.

Step 2

Add the salt and continue cooking until tender. Drain the beans, discarding the onion, carrot, garlic, and bay leaf.

Step 3

In a large bowl, combine the beans, corn kernels, red pepper, green onions, and cilantro. Stir in the olive oil, lime juice, and chili powder, and adjust the seasoning. Serve warm or at room temperature.