Buffalo Rising Online

Aug 15th 2007, 4:06pm By Courtney Bajdas

It seems that every Saturday during the summer you have receive one of four types of invitations that require you to bring a dish; a barbecue at the neighbor's, a graduation party, a company picnic, a friend's dinner party. It's mid-August. By now you've probably lost your zest. How many crudites can you bring along, and more importantly, how much baked ziti should one person be forced to consume within 3 months?

While I can't restore your enthusiasm, I do have a quick and easy recipe to simplify your social calendar. This colorful cold salad is a wonderful summer dish. Most of the ingredients can be found at the Downtown Country Market. You know, the one that adds vibrancy to Main Street (between Court and Church Streets) every Tuesday and Thursday? The one that only sells products from New York State and has been an integral part of Downtown's summer scene for the last 25 years? Yeah, that one.


Downtown Country Market's Cold Rice Salad

3 1/2 cups basmati rice ˑ 1 medium red pepper ˑ 1 medium green pepper ˑ 1/4 cup loosely packed ˑ ˑ chopped cilantro ˑ 2-3 limes ˑ 1/3 cup loosely packed chopped scallions ˑ 1 15 1/2 ounce can black beans ˑ 1 can whole kernel corn (fresh sweet corn can be substituted) ˑ 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ˑ 2 tbsp white wine vinegar ˑ salt & pepper
Prepare rice according to directions. prep out your ingredients while the rice is cooking- dice both peppers, chop cilantro and scallions, drain corn, drain and rinse beans, cut limes in half.
In a large (and I mean large) bowl, combine all ingredients with the warm rice. Mix thoroughly. Add vinegar and olive oil and lime juice into bowl and mix again. Personally, I like a lot of lime juice, but add this as well as salt and pepper to taste.
Cover bowl and place in fridge. Serve when cool.

Food for Thought:
Consider using quinoa in place of the rice. Quinoa not only contains 11 grams of protein per cup, but is also rich in essential amino acids, magnesium and iron.


Recipe and photos courtesy of M. Barnhardt.

Downtown Country Market
May 24th - November 1st
Tuesday & Thursday 8 AM-2:30 PM
Main Street between Court Street and Church Street



Don't forget to print out BR's guide to WNY Farmer's Markets and seasonal produce. At a glance you can see what's in season and plan ahead for what you'd like to make with your purchases. The BR produce Guide can be found in the left hand column of the YUM! section, just click on the asparagus!