Crafted by a Stone Ridge couple, this recipe taps into Mexican flavors and fresh ingredients for a meal that works as a main or a side.

Stone Ridge-based husband-and-wife team Gigi Fava and Michael Kane are in love with Mexican culture and cuisine. So much so that the duo, with backgrounds in food magazine design and architectural rendering, respectfully, decided to self-publish a cookbook with recipes crafted by Fava and photographed by Kane. Habaneros on the Hudson is inspired by Fava’s time living in Oaxaca, the couple’s trips to Mexico City, and, of course, the bountiful produce and local ingredients that are available right here in the Hudson Valley.

Bean, Beet, Orange & Goat Cheese Salad With Chipotle Aioli Dressing
Recipe by Gigi Fava and Michael KaneCourse: SaladsCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Medium4
servings30
minutes2
hours40
minutes3
hours10
minutesThis salad recipe packs a flavorful punch with habanero pepper, beets, and Naval oranges.
Ingredients
- For the beans
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1 small white onion, peeled and halved
½ habanero pepper
½ lb dried Flor de Junio beans (can substitute with pinto)
3 cups chicken stock
3 bay leaves
3 tsp Kosher salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
- For the salad
3 medium beets
2 navel oranges
2 Tbsp avocado oil
1 bag organic baby spinach (5 oz)
½ cup goat cheese
Kosher salt
Black pepper, freshly ground
- For the dressing
1 egg
½ garlic clove, minced
4 tsp lime juice, freshly squeezed
½ cup avocado oil
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ tsp Kosher salt
Black pepper, freshly ground
1 Tbsp adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers
Directions
- In a Dutch oven or claybean pot, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic, white onion, and the habanero. Place on low heat for approximately 20 minutes until all ingredients have softened. Remove the onions, garlic, and chili. Place them in a food processor and blend until you have a smooth puree. Add the beans to the pot and cover with 2 inches of chicken stock. Add bay leaves, salt, cumin, coriander, and oregano. Add the pureed mixture. Cook for 1 hour, checking every 20 minutes to add more stock when needed. Beans should be firm but cooked through when done. Remove cool beans to a bowl.
- Boil the beets. Allow to cool and remove the skin; slice thinly. Peel and slice the navel oranges.
- Place the spinach on a platter. Arrange the beet and orange slices. Spoon the beans onto the plate. Break the goat cheese into small pieces and scatter over top of the salad.
- To make the salad dressing, combine egg, garlic, fresh lime juice, and avocado oil in a food processor. Process until smooth and thick, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl, then very slowly stream in the olive oil while continuously whisking. For the oil to emulsify, whisk slowly, adding a few drops at a time. When the aioli is thick and creamy, season to taste with Kosher salt and black pepper. Swirl the adobo sauce on top and serve immediately.
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