Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon natural sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot or sweet paprika
  • Sea salt
  • 3 ears fresh corn
  • 2 (15.5-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2/3 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 1/3 cups grape tomatoes, halved
  • 2 navel oranges, zested (zest reserved)
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • Zest from 2 navel oranges
  • 1 teaspoon spicy chili sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 loosely packed cups fresh baby spinach

Method

  • For the Pecans: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the oil and pecans in a large baking dish, stirring to coat.
  • Sprinkle with the sugar, paprika, and salt to taste.
  • Place the pan in the oven and roast the nuts for approximately 10 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring once or twice during the cooking time.
  • If the pecans arent sweet and spicy enough, add additional sugar, paprika, and salt once the nuts are removed from the oven but while they are still hot.
  • Toss well and transfer to another container to stop the cooking.
  • Allow the pecans to cool completely.
  • Set aside.
  • For the Salad: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Rub the corn with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and roast for 15 minutes or until just a few brown spots appear.
  • Cut the corn off the cob and transfer to a large bowl.
  • Peel the oranges and remove the pith, separate into sections, and slice each section in half crosswise.
  • Add the black beans, tomatoes, and oranges to the bowl, and gently combine.
  • For the Vinaigrette: Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and process until well combined, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.
  • To serve: Drizzle the salad with the vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.
  • Serve the salad on a bed of baby spinach topped with the pecans.