May 25, 2020

Black Bean Bow Tie Salad

This Black Bean Bow Tie Salad is a huge crowd-pleaser and, over the years, it has become one of my families favorite recipes. This recipe is fast and easy to prepare.

This salad recipe is ideal for entertaining because you can make it ahead of time — in fact, you should because it gets better and better the longer it sits.

How to Make Black Bean Bow Tie Salad

Cook bow-tie pasta according to package directions then drain and set to the side. Combine broth and garlic into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer until garlic is tender.

Once cooled transfer to a food processor and add 1/4 cup of black beans, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, tomato paste, oregano, and salt. Process ingredients until they are smooth. Transfer this into a large mixing bowl and add your pasta, zucchini, peppers, onion, and remaining beans. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Black Bean Bow Tie Salad

8 oz bow tie pasta
⅔ cup chicken or vegetable broth
3 garlic cloves (sliced)
1 15 oz can black beans (rinsed, drained and divided)
½ cup fresh cilantro
3 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 ½ tsp dried oregano
1 medium-size zucchini (cut in half lengthwise and sliced)
1 medium-size sweet red pepper (chopped)
⅓ cup red onion (chopped)
1 medium-sized green pepper (chopped)
¾ tsp salt

Cook bow-tie pasta according to package directions. Drain and set to the side.
Combine broth and garlic into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer until garlic is tender.
Once the garlic is tender, remove from heat and allow to cool.
Once cooled transfer to a food processor and add 1/4 cup of black beans, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, tomato paste, oregano, and salt. Process ingredients until they are smooth.
Transfer this into a large mixing bowl and add your pasta, zucchini, peppers, onion, and remaining beans. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Did You Know?

The bow tie originated among Croatian mercenaries during the Thirty Years’ War of the 17th century. They used a scarf around the neck to hold together the opening of their shirts. This was soon adopted by the upper classes in France, then a leader in fashion. It is uncertain whether the cravat then evolved into the bow tie and four-in-hand necktie, or whether the cravat gave rise to the bow tie, which in turn led to the four-in-hand necktie.