Three Bean Salad

This classic gets a farmers market upgrade with fresh green beans and herbs. The recipe calls for canned chickpeas and kidney beans, but feel free to use different types of canned beans. You can also replaced canned beans with cooked dried beans.

Ingredients:

3/4 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup red wine or cider vinegar

2 garlic cloves, grated

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup

1 teaspoon sea salt (more for cooking green beans)

Freshly ground black pepper

1 15.5 ounce canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or 1 1/2 cups cooked dried chickpeas, drained)

1 15.5 ounce canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed (or 1 1/2 cups cooked dried kidney beans, drained)

2 celery ribs, diced

½ cup very thinly sliced red onion

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh herbs (dill and parsley are nice)

Ingredients:

3/4 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup red wine or cider vinegar

2 garlic cloves, grated

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup

1 teaspoon sea salt (more for cooking green beans)

Freshly ground black pepper

1 15.5 ounce canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or 1 1/2 cups cooked dried chickpeas, drained)

1 15.5 ounce canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed (or 1 1/2 cups cooked dried kidney beans, drained)

2 celery ribs, diced

½ cup very thinly sliced red onion

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh herbs (dill and parsley are nice)

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice bath by combining cold water and ice in a mixing bowl. Drop the green beans into the boiling water and blanch for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the beans and immediately immerse them in the ice water long enough to cool completely, for about 15 seconds. Drain and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
  2. Make the dressing by combining the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a jar with a lid. Shake to combine and taste, adjusting oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper to your liking. This will make more dressing than you need for this recipe; use the remainder for other salads.
  3. Place the cooked green beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, celery, onions, and herbs in a large bowl. Add about half the dressing and stir to combine. Add more dressing if you like a saucier salad.
  4. Serve immediately or let rest for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Enjoy!