Three Bean Salad


Time slips by so fast this time of year. Is it because of all of our obligations and extra tasks that come with celebrating the holidays? Or do we try to do more and feel there is so much more to accomplish; or both. Perhaps the end of the year is for reflection and clearing your mind for what lies ahead. Whatever it is my plan is to keep the holidays simple and fun, let’s hope I can stick to it.

This might seem like a very ordinary salad to you but sometimes ordinary is good. It’s simple, dependable and satisfying. It’s an example of how a dish can become special combining pantry and fresh ingredients. I used red kidney and garbanzo beans with fresh green beans to create a more traditional three bean salad but any combination of beans would work here as well. Crisp celery gives this a crunch while the fresh herbs and lemon in the dressing help brighten up this dish.


Ingredients:

1 14-ounce can red kidney beans
1 14-ounce can garbanzo beans
1 pound fresh green beans (ends trimmed, cut in half)
2 stalks celery (thinly sliced)
2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley (chopped)
1 tablespoon green onions (thinly sliced)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

To prepare:

Rinse the red beans and garbanzos in a colander, set aside.

Blanch the green beans in salted boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes. You want them to be tender but still have some snap to them. Rinse under cold water, drain, set aside.

In a medium sized bowl whisk parsley, green onions, thyme, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon and olive oil. Toss red kidney beans and garbanzo beans with dressing, let sit for 30 minutes. Add green beans. Toss, salt and pepper to taste.

Comments

  1. Hi Cheri,
    I could eat this bowl of salad as a meal .... like the beans plus the celery crunchiness and the hint of tangy lemon + apple cider vinegar and honey dressing to this salad. Yummy :)

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    1. Thanks Karen, I've been eating this as " lunch" everyday myself.

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  2. What an amazing salad! So simple and so delicious! I am hungry now:)

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  3. Sounds good Cheri! I like the variety of beans and the dressing sounds perfect for it. Thanks!

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  4. Love the idea..I am not very fond of salads .but now I have to eat it to reduce my weight...hahaha..jokes apart. .thanks for sharing.

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  5. This is my kind of salad, Cheri. It's simple. satisfying and healthy.

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  6. Simple is good. I love to make complicated dishes, but so often I find the simple ones just taste better. This looks excellent -- and full of flavor and good stuff. Thanks!

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  7. What an awesome looking salad, Cheri. 3 bean sounds so fuller and YUM!

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  8. Simple or ordinary is always best IMHO, love a three bean salad. Looks delicious.

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  9. That dressing does sound good. It's something I'm lazy with, usually drizzling leaves with oil, vinegar, seasoning and some herbs if I have them.

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  10. The healthy news on beans just keeps getting better and better, so I'm always looking for interesting ways to get more of them, thanks!

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    1. Hi Sue, I love beans, could eat them everyday my husband not so much but he loves this.

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  11. This is one of my dad's favorite salads. I was never a fan as I didn't like canned green beans, but I love that you use fresh!

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    1. Thanks Liz, this is one of my husband's favorites too!

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  12. Three bean salad is one of my husbands favorite recipes. Thank you for this recipe - I will have to make it for him. Hope you have a wonderful, peaceful, fun and delicious Thanksgiving!

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  13. Cheri: Your salad looks delicious. A classic. Thanks for the updated version.
    And I'm with you about the holidays. Keep 'em simple and enjoy.

    I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    D

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  14. I love three bean salad! You have some great flavors going on here. Can't wait to try!

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    1. Thanks Sandra, hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

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  15. This three bean salad looks delicious.And a protein packed salad for a healthy meal.Thanks for the recipe...

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  16. Great salad. I love bean salad. And a dressing with apple cider vinegar is perfect with this xx

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  17. Sounds healthy and delicious. Also I love the colors of the beans mixed together.

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  18. It may be simple but it is one of my favorites.

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  19. Yum, I can honestly eat my weight in a salad like this! My husband doesn't like them and that secretly makes me happy :)

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    1. Hi Chris, funny thing, my husband is not a big bean person but loves this salad.

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  20. My husband's grandmother used to make the best bean salad. Thanks for the reminder that this is such a simple but wonderful side dish. I love the Dijon in this one! Is that Pinnacle Peak? The Saguaro's are beautiful!

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    1. Hi susan, yes it is out by Pinnacle Peak, my sister lives out there. With all the rain we have been having the desert looks wonderful.

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  21. You know, I have never had this when it hasn't come out of a jar! I have to try this, as it sounds soon much better!

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  22. Simplicity of thought and food at year's end is important...And we all need to fuel our minds and bodies with healthful beans and more salads =) I do confess though garbanzo beans covered with blue cheese on crisp greens make up a fave lunch for this could be more conscious Ninja Baker =)

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    1. Hi Kim, sounds like a wonderful salad to me. Take care and Happy Thanksgiving to you!

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