Chicken and Black Bean Salad

* 1/4 cup snipped cilantro

* 1/4 cup olive oil or salad oil

* 2 Tablespoons lime juice

* 2 Tablespoons orange juice

* 1 clove garlic, minced

* 1/8 teaspoon salt

* 12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts

* 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

* 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

* 1/4 teaspoon salt

* 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

* 1 Tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil

* 3 cups torn Romaine lettuce or mixed greens

* 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

* 2 large oranges, peeled and sectioned

* 2 slices red onion, halved and separated into rings

For dressing, in a screw-top jar combine cilantro, olive or salad oil, lime juice, orange juice, garlic, and salt. Cover and shake well. Chill until serving time. Shake well before using.

Cut chicken into thin, bite-sized strips. In a large skillet cook chili powder, cumin, salt, and red pepper in hot oil over medium-high heat for 30 seconds. Add chicken strips and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned and no longer pink.

In a salad bowl combine chicken, Romaine or mixed greens, black beans, orange sections, and sliced red onion. Cover and chill salad up to 2 hours.

To serve, pour the dressing over the salad. Toss lightly to coat.

Makes 4 servings.

Frijoles

2 or 3 cups pinto beans

4 slices bacon, diced

1 medium onion, minced

1 Tablespoon salt

Water

Pick through beans removing rocks. Put beans, bacon, onion and water in pressure cooker for fast beans, in slow cooker for all night cooking.

Bring pressure up to 15 pounds and lower heat til guage just jiggles for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and cool til lid will come off. Put back on heat and add salt. Heat to simmer. If desired add some diced Chipotle to this now.

In slow cooker, put on at high and ignore for 12 hours other than to add boiling water as needed. At end of 12 hours add salt and if desired Chipotle.

I do not recommend adding the pepper if main dish is also peppered. You need a neutral.

Nice tossed or green goddess salad would be great with this!!