$10 bargain--which is better? :) & corn salad recipe

I went to the farmer's market on Saturday and was thrilled with my purchase, which amounted to exactly $10.50--all the cash I had in my purse. I was also kicking myself for not making it a normal occurrence to go when it is so close!! I absolutely love fresh green beans but have pretty much missed out this summer just b/c I didn't go to the farmer's market and obviously the green beans in the store don't compare.

This was my purchase (minus 8 ears of corn, which were already consumed by the time I took this picture).



Zucchini, kale, beets, 4 cucumbers, green beans, and 8 ears of sweet corn. I had also already made us green beans for lunch and this is what I had remaining. Quite the bit of produce for $10.50!!

BTW, if you are wondering about a colorful, delicious, but unfortunately a little time consuming, way to eat fresh sweet corn, then try this salad (see end of post for recipe). I made it for a bbq that we went to and it was a big hit. The reason it is time consuming is mostly b/c you have to shuck the corn, prepare it, cut the corn off the cob and then start making the salad.

Ironically, the same day I went to the store in the evening for a totally different type of purchase and realized that I also spent around $10. I felt I got another great $10 deal, but then realized how ridiculous it was excited about these two deals in one day when they were so vastly different from each other!



Mmmmmm!!!!

Let me explain. (haha). I really wanted chocolate ice cream, Scott wanted a blizzard. I like Breyers, but didn't think it was on sale and I really only buy it when it is. So, I went to the store expecting to dish out a lot more and then found there was a great deal on Breyers!! Also, I could buy one Butterfinger candy bar for Scott's blizzard for $1 or a bag of mini's for $2 (with another coupon). The chocolate chips were not consumed last night, but alas, another coupon, so I grabbed them. Gotta have those on hand, right!?!

Here's the corn recipe referenced above (I actually only used about 7 ears of corn b/c Blake sat down next to me and ate almost a whole cob of raw corn). I didn't have the heart to take it away from him, but I did want it for my recipe!!

Fresh Corn Salad with Black Beans and Tomatoes

Dressing:
6 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 jalapeno, stemmed, seeded and minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tea cumin
1/2 tea salt
1/4 tea pepper

Salad:
8 ears fresh corn (do not substitute frozen or canned)
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, rinsed
6 scallions, sliced thin (I just used thinly sliced onion ~ 1/4 cup)
2 Tbsp minced fresh cilantro
Salt & Pepper

1). For the dressing, shake or wisk ingredients til well combined.

2). Cook the corn in boiling water until tender, 5-7 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Cut kernels from each cob (then turn knife around and scrap cob with dull side to remove all the remaining juice and sweet pulp). Add the tomatoes, beans, scallions, cilantro, and dressing and toss. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

This salad can be prepared, covered, and refrigerated a day in advance. Before serving, bring to room temp and freshen with a squeeze of lime juice.

(I added a little extra lime juice and cilantro, b/c I love it). :)