Mexican Black Bean & Rice Salad🥗 and Maple Cookies🍪

At our June 3rd Food & Community session, we served up bold flavors and cozy sweetness with a Mexican Black Bean & Rice Salad and Maple Cookies. These dishes are perfect for potlucks, picnics, or weekday meal prep!

🌮 Mexican Black Bean & Rice Salad (Serves 8)

Adapted from Foodland Ontario

A fresh, filling salad that brings together summer produce and pantry staples—perfect served warm or at room temp.

Retrived from Foodland Ontario

Ingredients:

• 3 cobs Ontario sweet corn (kernels removed, ~1½ cups)

• 1¼ cups water

• 1 cup long grain rice

• 6 tbsp olive oil

• ¼ cup white wine vinegar

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

• 1 can (19 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 large Ontario tomato, diced

• 1 cup chopped Ontario green pepper

• ½ cup chopped Ontario green onions

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 2 large Ontario tomatoes, halved and sliced (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cut corn kernels off cobs and set aside.

2. In a saucepan, bring water and rice to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Stir in corn and cook 5 more minutes until tender and liquid is absorbed.

4. In a large bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, cumin, and cayenne.

5. Add hot rice-corn mixture and toss well. Let cool slightly.

6. Mix in black beans, diced tomato, green pepper, and green onions. Season with salt and pepper.

7. Let salad sit for 1 hour to blend flavors. Serve with sliced tomatoes on the side.

🍁 Maple Cookies (Yields ~5 dozen)

Adapted from Allrecipes

Retrieved from Allrecipes

These chewy cookies are cozy, sweet, and infused with real maple syrup—great for gifting or snacking.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1 cup real maple syrup

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ⅓ cup white sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two cookie sheets.

2. In a bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Mix in maple syrup, egg, and vanilla.

4. Gradually stir in flour mixture until dough forms.

5. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on sheets.

6. Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass and sprinkle with sugar.

7. Bake 8–10 minutes until golden. Cool on wire racks. Repeat with remaining dough.

We loved seeing everyone at this session! Tag us if you try these recipes at home and stay tuned for more Food and Community meals 🧑‍🍳💛