Confetti Salad

 A vibrant explosion of color and crunch, this Confetti Salad is a celebration of fresh flavors. Packed with crisp vegetables, hearty beans, and sweet corn, it's all tied together with a zesty, cumin-lime dressing. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for a light lunch or a dazzling side that steals the show at any potluck or barbecue.

🍽️ Servings: 4-6 as a side
⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 1 cup diced red bell pepper

• 1 cup diced yellow bell pepper

• 1 cup diced cucumber

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 cup corn kernels (thawed if frozen, drained if canned)

• ½ cup finely diced red onion

• ½ cup diced apple or mango (optional, for a sweet twist)

• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

For the Zesty Cumin-Lime Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (or lemon juice)

• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for a gentle kick)

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Create Your Confetti:

• Dice the red and yellow bell peppers, cucumber, and red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes. If using, dice the apple or mango. Chop the fresh herbs.

• In a large mixing bowl, combine all the prepared salad ingredients: the peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, optional fruit, and herbs.

2. Whisk the Dressing:

• In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, and honey (or maple syrup) until smooth.

• Add the ground cumin, chili powder (if using), salt, and pepper. Whisk again until the dressing is fully emulsified and well-blended. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

3. Toss and Combine:

• Pour the dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl.

• Toss everything gently until all the ingredients are evenly and beautifully coated in the dressing.

4. Serve with a Chill:

• For the best flavor, let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

• Give it a final toss, garnish with extra herbs, and serve chilled. Enjoy the fresh, vibrant crunch!

🌟 Chef's Tip: This salad is wonderfully versatile! Add avocado chunks, swap the beans for chickpeas, or toss in some cooked quinoa to make it even heartier.