Three Bean Salad

Three Bean Salad

Adapted from Down Home with the Neelys

Salad Ingredients

1 cup dried pinto beans

Haricot Verts

1 14 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced

¼ cup parsley, chopped

Salt and pepper

Hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco Habanero sauce)

Vinaigrette Ingredients

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

¼ cup Champagne Vinegar

2 tablespoons lemon juice, or ½ lemon juiced

2 tablespoons honey

4 dashes hot sauce (Tabasco Habanero)

Salt and pepper

½ cup olive oil

Directions

Wash and rinse pinto beans. In a saucepan, cover beans with fresh water and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Turn down to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 1 ½ hours, or until tender. Rinse, drain.

Steam the haricot vert for 5  minutes. Rinse under cold water or shock in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Drain and let dry.

Place the beans (pinto, haricot verts, and kidney), scallions, and parsley in a large bowl.

To make the dressing combine all dressing ingredients (garlic thru olive oil) in a mason jar. Cover tightly and shake until well mixed.

Pour dressing over salad ingredients – start with ½ of dressing and work your way up to suit your tastes. Toss, taste, and add more dressing if needed. Add salt and pepper if needed. Add a few more dashes of hot sauce.

Chill for 30 minutes (or so) to allow flavors to meld.

Have hot sauce at the table for anyone who would like to add additional heat.

The Verdict

Personally, I love three bean salad. We both thought this one was excellent. Dressing was sort of creamy and garlicky. The texture of the beans turned out great.

You could really swap in any combination of canned beans, and/or add more varieties. I didn’t have yellow waxed beans – but those are always delicious in these salads.

Loved the addition of the habanero hot sauce, except on the remnants of the leftovers added a wee bit too much….phew…super hot, but sort of addictive. It didn’t stop me from finishing it, with lots of drinks of ice water in between bites!