White Lima Bean & Summer Vegetable Salad With Garam Masala Dressing

Ingredients [Serves 2-3]

1.5 cups dried white lima beans [ Substitute with precooked beans]
4 cups of water for soaking the beans
2 cups water mixed with 1 tsp [each of] salt & oil for cooking the beans
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered 
1/2 cup fresh white corn from 1 pc grilled fresh corn [substitute with frozen corn, slightly steamed]
Any variety of lettuce leaves you like, shredded  [Mix in ready-made salad mix, I m not giving a quantity here coz it's totally your call]
2 scallions, finely chopped

For the Garam Masala Dressing:- [Makes little less than 1/2 cup]

3 tbsp fresh lime juice [ Adjust the lime juice, I like my dressing slightly on the sour side]
4 tbsp extra virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp garam masala 
2 tbsp finely chopped red onions [ or shallots]
1 Thai green chilli, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves , minced
1/2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
1 tbsp sour cream
1.5 tsp red pepper flakes [ adjust to taste]
3-4 leaves of fresh mint,minced
Salt to taste

Method:-

If using raw beans, soak them in a big bowl in 4 cups of water for at least 6 hours or overnight.Once soaked, drain the water & discard it.
Cooking the beans:- Use any one of the following:-

[This is what I do] Pressure cook the beans until tender in 2 cups of water mixed with 1 tsp each of oil & salt for 10 minutes on high or 2 whistles. 
Once you hear the second whistle,remove from stove top and wait till the cooker releases all the steam.

Note: Since each pressure cooker is different, adjust time as per your appliance.

Without the pressure cooker : In a heavy bottomed pot with lid, add the soaked beans along with salt and oil.
Cover & let the water come to boil.About 5 minutes.Reduce the heat to minimum and let simmer for 20 minutes or so until tender.

Once beans are cooked,drain and let cool.You can reserve the water for adding to curries,rice pilaf or stews etc.
In a big bowl, toss the cooked, cooled & cooked beans with all the vegetables and combine gently.Refrigerate till ready to serve
.
Garam Masala dressing :In a small jar with a lid, add all the ingredients listed except salt & sour cream.
Tighten the lid & shake well till an emulsion is formed.Refrigerate till ready to serve.

Serving the Salad:- Add salt & sour cream to the dressing, shake again to mix and pour over the beans and vegetables.
Toss well,add some grated cheese if you like and serve cold.