Mojito Corn Salad
This summer, I've been having way too much fun making classic cocktails into salads. First there was my Mint Julep Quinoa Salad and now this awesome Mojito Corn Salad. These summer cocktail flavors are so familiar and nostalgic, so let's have some fun with them!
This salad features all of late summer's best produce: succulent grilled corn, crisp sugar snap peas, thirst-quenching cucumber, and sweet juicy blueberries and peaches. It's all kissed with lots of lime juice and fresh mint leaves for that classic mojito combination.
The flavors of this salad are so bright and vibrant. Tangy lime juice is paired with a bit of honey (or agave, if you want to go fully vegan) and lots of super-fresh very finely-chopped mint for a dressing that screams mojito. I love to add a dash of white rum to the dressing to reinforce the mojito theme! You could also add a bit of cumin or a few drops of hot sauce if you'd prefer a more complex flavor profile.
In addition to its zippy, vibrant flavors, the other thing I love about this salad is its texture. There's such a lovely mix of crisp veggies and juicy fruit. To add some major crunch factor, I always top it with macadamia nuts (since MacNuts and rum are geographic buddies!).
I hope you enjoy this one for all the rest of your picnics, deck parties, and backyard get-togethers this season. Don't forget the mojitos!
Please share your creation so I can see how you've interpreted the concept! Tag "The Rogue Brussel Sprout" on Facebook or hashtag #theroguebrusselsprout on Instagram.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Mauna Loa. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep The Rogue Brussel Sprout running.
Looking for other salads that can go from potluck to picnic seamlessly? This Roasted Corn, Avocado, and Strawberry Salad is just as summery and versatile.
Thoughts About Ingredients
(These are all just suggestions, since rogue is more fun than recipe)
For the Salad
- 2-3 c grilled corn. In season, I love to grill corn outside and then cut the kernels off the cob. Out of season, I usually resort to grilling frozen corn indoors. Trader Joe's sells bags of frozen, grilled corn if you want convenience.
- 1-2 c sugar snap peas
- A few Persian cucumbers. I love baby Persian cukes, but one regular-sized one will work fine instead.
- 1 c blueberries
- A peach or two. Pineapple will work well too here, if you prefer; I do that about half the time I make this. Use whatever fruit you think will pair nicely with mint.
- 20-30 mint leaves
- Big handful of macadamia nuts. My greatest love from Mauna Loa!
- Juice of a lime or two
- 1-2 tbsp honey. Or sub agave for a completely plant-based version.
- Generous salt and black pepper
- Dash of rum. Optional but awesome. I love how adding rum to the dressing really reinforces the mojito idea. My preference here is white rum.
- Grill your corn, then let it cool completely so that it doesn't wilt the other ingredients.
- Meanwhile, prep the other ingredients. This includes trimming the ends off the sugar snap peas and cutting everything into bit-size pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and give everything a good whisk. You may need to warm the honey up slightly to get it to mix well with the lime juice.
- To the bowl with the dressing, add the corn and sugar snaps. I like to let these more robust ingredients sit in the dressing for a few minutes to really absorb the flavor. If you want to prep this salad in advance, I'd stop here.
- Next, add the cucumber and fruit and give everything a good mix.
- Cut the mint leaves into very fine ribbons. Add these last and give everything just a gentle toss to avoid bruising the mint.
- Plate your salad however you wish. Garnish at the last minute with macadamia nuts so that they stay crunchy.
This is a perfect summer dinner when the garden is flourishing. The salty macadamias set off the sweet fruit and the deep flavor of roasted corn. Excellent!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! This salad is definitely one of our summer favorites. It's great for bringing on picnics too! So happy you enjoyed it.
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