Mexican Style Salad : Gluten Free : Vegan : Vegetarian

Doesn't this look tasty! It's inspired by the ingredients of Mexico! This colourful vegan/vegetarian salad is quick to put together and really packs a punch.

Some readers may find the recipe a little 'carby', so as always dear reader it is important to note, that a variety of recipe ideas are within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

However, if you feel you'd like to give this recipe idea a try here is what you will need.

Ingredients
Serves 4 - 6 as a side

1 small red onion (approx. 60g/2¼oz), quartered then thinly sliced
2 limes, juice and zest
400–450g tin sweetcorn, drained and lightly rinsed
400g tin black beans, drained and lightly rinsed
2 large ripe avocadoes, peeled, stone removed and cut into 2cm/¾in cubes
100g/3½oz cherry tomatoes, quartered
1–3 tbsp finely chopped green chilli
2 tsp heaped ground cumin
30g/1oz fresh coriander, stalks and leaves finely chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 Little Gem lettuce, washed, dried and leaves separated
salt and pepper

Method
1. Place the red onion in a small bowl and mix in a generous pinch of salt and 1 teaspoon of the lime juice. Leave for 10 minutes, then drain out any liquid through a sieve.
2. In a large bowl add the red onion, sweetcorn, black beans, avocado, cherry tomatoes, 1 tablespoon green chilli, cumin, coriander, oil, lime zest and the rest of the lime juice (you should have at least 2 tablespoons). Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Check the seasoning and add more green chilli if you’d like it spicier.
3. Fan the lettuce leaves in a circle onto your serving plate, pile the sweetcorn mix on top and serve.

Recipe tip
If prepping this Mexican-style salad in advance, keep the avocado to one side and add on the day to keep it fresher for longer.

Each serving (based on 4 servings) provides 

355 kcal, 8.9g protein, 24.2g carbohydrate (of which 9.9g sugars), 22.3g fat (of which 4.5g saturates), 11g fibre and 0.3g salt.
From idea seen here

Little gem lettuce is a type of leafy green vegetable that can be found in many grocery stores and farmers’ markets. It has thick, crunchy leaves with a mild flavour that is slightly sweet and nutty. The variety is a hybrid of two other types of greens: butterhead lettuce and cos or romaine lettuce.

Little gem lettuce is an excellent source of vitamins A and K and essential minerals such as folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. It also contains a healthy dose of dietary fiber that can help keep your digestive system running smoothly. Eating little gem lettuce regularly can help reduce inflammation by blocking some pathways responsible for releasing inflammatory compounds into the bloodstream.

For people with arthritis or other chronic pain disorders, this makes it a fantastic option. Additionally, it’s a strong source of antioxidants, which can guard your cells against damage from free radicals. Finally, its high water content keeps you hydrated and fuller for longer.

All the best Jan