Sweetpotato & Black Bean Salad with a Toasted Cumin Citronette
Recipe developed by Chef Vivian Howard in partnership with NCSPC
This bright salad makes a satisfying lunch or a healthy companion for fish, chicken or steak. Dice everything smaller and you’ve got a fall-themed salsa for chips or tacos.
Note: I’m a big believer in buying whole spices and grinding them as you need them. They add so much more flavor than the pre-ground dust from the grocery store. To toast and grind cumin, purchase whole cumin seeds and toast them over low heat in a dry sauté pan. Once you begin to smell them they’re done. Let the seeds cool slightly, and using a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder crush the seeds, leaving a little texture if possible.
Photo Cred: Juli Leonard
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chef recipe, light fare, salad, Vivian Howard
Servings: 2
Calories: 676kcal
- Salad Ingredients
- 1 medium sweetpotato peeled and cut into 1/2″ dice (about 1 cup)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 10 grinds of the black pepper mill or 1/4 teaspoon
- 1 cup cooked black beans drained and rinsed from a can is fine
- 1/2 of an avocado diced (about 1/2 a cup)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallion about 2 whole
- 1/4 cup cilantro stems and leaves finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons mint roughly chopped
- 1/4 of chopped pecans or pepitas
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
- Cumin Honey Citronette Ingredients
- Juice of two limes about 1/4 cup
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 dashes hot sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon toasted and crushed cumin seed
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss the sweetpotatoes with the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, sugar and black pepper. Spread the sweetpotatoes out onto a baking sheet so that it is evenly distributed and the sweetpotatoes are not touching. Slide the baking sheet onto the middle rack of the oven and cook for 35-45 minutes.
While the potatoes roast, make the dressing. In the same bowl you seasoned the sweetpotatoes, whisk together the lime juice, honey, salt, hot sauce and toasted cumin in a bowl. Stream in the two tablespoons of finishing olive oil as you whisk so that the dressing will emulsify.
Keep an eye on the potatoes towards the end of the cooking process so that they do not burn. You are looking for a golden, slightly brown color on the exterior of the potato and a creamier, softer texture on the interior.
Allow the potatoes to cool slightly and add them to the mixing bowl with the dressing. Stir in the black beans, avocado, scallions, herbs, pecans or pepitas, and remaining salt.
Coat all the ingredients in the dressing. Top with the goat cheese and serve. Note: this salad can sit and will actually benefit from mingling together for about 30 minutes before serving. If over 30 minutes, the avocado will begin to brown.
Note: Chopped pecans were used in nutrition label calculations
Nutrition Facts
Sweetpotato & Black Bean Salad with a Toasted Cumin Citronette
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Serving: 1 | Calories: 676kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 27g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 1671mg | Potassium: 1090mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 16908IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 5mg | Net Carbohydrates: 47g