Three Bean Salad

Bean Salad is a summer salad dish with different beans such as green beans, yellow wax beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, garbanzo beans and onions or other vegetables like bell peppers, etc., It is usually prepared with a vinaigrette which is slightly on the sweeter side. Beans are packed with protein and fiber which can help lower cholestrol levels as well as fill you up. You can use your choice of beans and mix it up for variations.

Ingredients:

1 cup green beans, steamed and cut into bite-size pieces
15.5 oz can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
15.5 oz can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
5-6 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)

For dressing:

4-5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
2 tbsp dijon mustard
Juice of 1 lemon
1- 1 1/2 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp sriracha hot sauce (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

Method:

In a bowl, add cider vinegar, dijon mustard, minced garlic, lemon juice, honey, sriracha sauce and olive oil. Whisk all the ingredients together. Add salt and pepper to taste and whisk well. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add the green beans, garbanzo beans, dark red kidney beans, red onion, green bell pepper, sun-dried tomatoes and chopped cilantro.

Add the vinaigrette to the beans and toss well. Serve immediately or chilled.

Makes 4-5 servings.