The classic green salad gets some Latin flair with the addition of black beans, caramelized onions, avocados, and lime vinaigrette. At Nacional 27 in Chicago, it’s served as part of the restaurant’s Cuban Christmas menu, but it’d be a great side salad for anything from grilled fish to our Cuban Sandwich recipe.

This recipe was featured as part of our Supercharge with Superfoods photo gallery.

  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Total: 25 mins 
  • Active: 5 mins  

Ingredients (11)

  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 2 medium red onions, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
  • 2/3 cup sherry vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into sixths
  • 4 medium ripe avocados, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into sixths
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1 head Bibb lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1 head Boston lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup cooked black beans

Instructions

  1. Heat 1/4 cup of the canola oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When oil shimmers, add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and soft, about 10 minutes.
  2. Add 1/3 cup of the sherry vinegar, and scrape up any browned bits that have adhered to the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  3. Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette. Combine remaining 1/3 cup sherry vinegar and lime juice in a medium nonreactive bowl, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. While constantly whisking, pour in remaining 1/4 cup canola oil and olive oil in a slow, thin stream until dressing is well combined; set aside.
  4. To serve, combine cooled onions, tomatoes, avocados, lettuces, and black beans in a large bowl and toss. Add 3/4 of the vinaigrette and toss until greens are well coated. Taste, add more vinaigrette as desired, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Beverage pairing: Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva, Chile. The clean, bright flavors and contrasting creamy/crunchy textures of the salad need the kind of do-it-all white wine that’s perfect for summer afternoon sipping. This inexpensive but well-made Sauvignon Blanc from Chile is that wine. With citrus, herbs, flowers, and some tanginess, it’s almost a salad dressing unto itself.