Charred Elote Grain Bowls with Black Beans & Lime Crema

Serves 4 · 15 min prep · 12 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 485 cal
• 18g protein
• 62g carbs
• 20g fat
• 14g fiber

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Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked quinoa or farro
• 3 cups fresh corn kernels
• 1 can (15 oz), drained canned black beans
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 2 ripe avocado
• 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 lime
• 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a thin film of olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add the corn kernels in an even layer and let them sit undisturbed 3 minutes until deeply charred on one side.
2. 2Stir and continue cooking 2 to 3 more minutes until the corn is sweet, blistered, and fragrant. Season with chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then transfer half the corn to a bowl for topping.
3. 3In the same skillet, warm the drained black beans with a splash of water and salt for 2 minutes until heated through and slightly creamy. Fold the remaining charred corn into the beans.
4. 4Whisk the sour cream or Greek yogurt with mayonnaise, juice of one lime, chili powder, and a little salt until smooth and pourable; thin with a teaspoon of water if needed for drizzling.
5. 5Halve the cherry tomatoes and dice the avocados. Fluff the cooked quinoa or farro with a fork and divide it among four bowls or meal-prep containers.
6. 6Spoon the warm black-bean-and-corn mixture over the grains. Arrange tomato halves and avocado chunks the edges so colors pop.
7. 7Drizzle each bowl generously with the lime crema, then shower with crumbled cotija and chopped cilantro. Finish with extra charred corn kernels on top for crunch.
8. 8Squeeze the remaining lime wedges over everything just before eating. These bowls hold well refrigerated up to 3 days; keep avocado and crema separate until serving if packing ahead.