Peach Black Bean Salad

Every month I get to the near end of the month and I'm shocked that the month is almost over.  Time goes so fast when you're enjoying a beautiful summer in New York City.  I've been so busy that I've hardly had any time to cook.  Sure, I'll take the time to make a quick breakfast, or toss together something healthy (but boring).  But I'm talking about real cooking for my blog, the stuff I can share and be proud of.

In the summertime I crave cold refreshing foods, like Watermelon, Peaches, Gazpacho, Beet Salads, etc... So the other day I decided to have my boyfriend over, and to make a Peach Tomato Salsa to go on top of Black Bean Cakes. Yummy! I'm a true Georgia Peach, so I feel like I know my favorite fuzzy fruit, and the peaches are great this year; even the ones brought to the city from New Jersey.
I'll admit though, the Salsa could have had a little more kick to it, and thankfully I had plenty left over to add a kick to. (the photo below is before the "kick" and beans were added)

Soooo,  this posting is about the delicious Black Bean Peach Salad that was created from that good ol' leftover salsa.  It gets it's "kick" from the Red Wine Vinegar!

Peach Black Bean Salad

1 Fresh Peach (use a "just right" Peach) Diced

1 Large Tomato, Diced

1/4 cup Diced Red Onion (or less, depending on your taste)

1/4 cup Diced Cucumber (optional)

1/2 Jalapeno Pepper, Diced

1 cup Black Beans, cooked and salted

Juice of One Lemon

1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar (or less, depending on your taste)

Black Pepper

1/4 cup Chopped Cilantro

Dice all of the fruits and vegetables and add them one by one to a large mixing bowl. Add black beans. Now add Lemon Juice, Vinegar, Crushed Black Pepper, and Cilantro, and Toss the salad.  I prefer my peaches and tomatoes to be a little mashed.  Refrigerate to chill, and to allow flavors to marinate, for at least one hour.  

Now you've got your salad.  Enjoy with some chopped Avocado, or with Tortilla Chips, or even as a side dish for Grilled Fish.  There are endless possibilities.  I even want to experiment with other summer fruit, like watermelon!