Monday, July 14, 2008

Too Hot to Cook?

It's officially blazing...Summertime is in full effect! I've been spending some quality time in our nation's capital and the humidity here is slowly killing me. The cool summer breezes of San Diego feel like a distant, fond memory and I'm beginning to have dreams that I'm trapped in a sauna. Have you ever seen the movie A Time To Kill where Ashley Judd spends a considerable amount of the movie sweating? Well, that's me but I don't quite pull off the sexy sweaty look as well as Ashley.


This past weekend, a quick jog through the park turned into a sweaty, cardio attack on my body. I say 'attack' as the combination of steep hills, blazing sunshine and opressive humidity made my body think that I was launching an assault on myself. Though I consider myself to be in fairly good shape, I suppose I'm not in DC shape. Though I used to easily run 5-6 miles a day, somehow I can barely eek out about 4 these days.

Alright, enough crying & complaining for now. For those of you who are equally trapped in miserable heat, here's a quick & refreshing side dish that I've begun to enjoy for lunch. It's quite a nutritional powerhouse and I am happy to report that you won't break into a sweat while making this Mango & Black Bean Salad. This also pairs well with fish and shrimp dishes if you're brave enough to turn on your stove or oven!

Because this is a healthy little treat, I'm submitting this to Cate's ARF/5-A-Day roundup at her lovely site, Sweetnicks. Check out her roundup every Tuesday for some healthy inspiration.

Beat the Heat Mango & Black Bean Salad
Adapted from Cooking Light
1 1/2 cups chopped, ripe mango
1/2 cup cooked wild rice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh salsa (I used peach mango salsa)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (use more if you like heat)
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained & rinsed

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Toss gently to mix.

Print the recipe here:

Mango & Black Bean Salad

See Mango & Black Bean Salad on Key Ingredient.

24 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

In my opinion, it's never too hot to cook - but during the summertime, ALL I crave is fresh, cold food, haha. That salad definitely looks refreshing!

Anonymous said...

eekk! 5-6 miles a day would kill me, even 4 would wear me out. I like to run too, maybe for about 10-15 straight minutes and I'm out like a log! You inspire me, maybe I'll run for 17 minutes today!

It is hot and humid as of late, but your salad sounds uber refreshing with the fresh mango and satisfying with the beans. It's a great summer, no cook salad!

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, I feel a cool Carribean breeze coming over me...

Mary said...

That salsa looks delicious and might even be easy enough for me to make.

If it makes you feel any better, once it hits 80, I feel terrible running. It's as though I'm suddenly completely out of shape, as I huff and puff, even on the flats. I'd rather run in 20 than 90.

Unknown said...

Your salad is so gorgeous, but here in Hong Kong, people generally don't really eat refreshing cold food. They eat steaming boiling piping hot food, with lots of chilli and sweat like a pig while eating.

i wonder how do those hot girls keep their make up & hair products stay put, eat all that and manage to stay that slim without exercising LOL (jealousy jealousy)

eatingclubvancouver_js said...

Mangoes with black beans sound delicious right. About. Now. Great combination of flavours!

La Bella Cooks said...

It is way too hot to run right now, but your salad looks so refreshing!

krysta said...

this sounds so good, especially since it's been so hot around here.

Jenny said...

Sounds like a really nice salad Sharon! Perfect for these hot months. Good for you for being an avid runner. I wish I could say the same for myself!

grace said...

i wouldn't run 4 miles for much, but i might be willing to do it for some salad like this. oh, how i love black beans, and i've found that mango is perfectly delightful as well. good for you for creating this and for running at all. :)

Sharon said...

veggiegirl -

whiteonrice - every minute counts, right? :)

noble pig - ooh, if only I was in the Caribbean I'd be loving the heat.

mary - I'm what I like to call a high maintenance runner. I only like to run when its between 60-75 degrees!

mochachocolata - If I could have some of that delicious Hong Kong cuisine, I wouldn't mind sweating like a pig. Seriously, some women have it so lucky, huh?

eatingclub - it's definitely one of my favorite combinations of late. One I hadn't expected to be so good!

bridgett - if only sitting by the pool was considered exercise

krysta - i like to eat it very cold!

jenny - I could say the same about you. I would love to be an avid pilates'er.

grace - I could arrange to have a bowl of this waiting for you at the next local 5K ;)

Mo said...

Hey Sharon, this looks right up my alley. Yum!

We 'Zonies are headed to San Diego for the first week of August to escape the heat. :) Can you give me a few restaurant suggestions? (Staying in Solano Beach, but have car and will travel for good food.) Also, a good place to purchase fresh fish. We are renting a small beach house, and will be able to cook.

Leslie said...

Thats some good looking salad!
Thanks for your comment on my blueberry pancakes..I dont think I have ever had banana pancakes!

Anonymous said...

Your salad looks so delicious! Yum yum!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Wow, mando and black bean! That sounds so interesting! The colors are great and yes it is too hot to cook!

tigerfish said...

I agree it's a good combination of flavors and textures. I've been doing so much "mango-ey" stuff lately too.:P

Prudy said...

I'm a runner too but I stick to the treadmill in the summer-it's just so darn hot here. Still, with all this food lovin' a girls got to keep a running. I love a cold salad and I'm hooked on black beans. Yum!

test it comm said...

That looks really good! I made a mango and black bean salsa a while ago and I think that filling it out a bit and making it a salad sounds good!

MrOrph said...

I hear ya! It is hot as he** here as well. I have a convertible but it stays up for the AC.

I used to run 25-30, miles/week when I was in the service and stationed here in the ATL so I know EXACTLY what you mean about the jogging sweating thing.

If my knees could take it though, I'd be out there runnning, just at 4am. You know, when it's cool.

Trulie Scrumptious said...

I can still cook when it is hot out but what I can't do is clean up;)
That looks like a yummy recipe I will try it for sure.

Sophie said...

Hey Sharon :). OOh cool, I see you're using the digital recipe card!

I know how you feel about the heat...and I am amazed that you could run that much! I am a wimp and can't even do a mile without feeling like passing out :D. This looks like a really great summer snack, look at all those healthy ingredients, too :).

zlamushka said...

I came here through What´s For Lunch, Honey? I am hosting an event dedicated to trying foods from other bloggers. Meeta is in the spotlight for July. I really hope you can participate :-)

Elle said...

Yes, it's too hot to cook. Though I suspect it's hotter where you are! I love this dish, it looks great!

Lauren said...

I LOVE that salad. We've made it a couple times and love it!