Getting tired of heavy, comfort food already this fall?
You need to pace yourself! There’s still a lot of autumn and winter left. If you need something a little lighter to help break up the hot, heavy foods – we’ve got just the thing.
This Mediterranean-style white bean salad is full of hearty ingredients and flavors, but won’t leave you stuffed to the gills. Of course, Randall Beans fans know that white beans, in this case, are our famous great northern beans. Great northern beans are filling enough that, when combined with a tangy dressing and some chunky fresh vegetables, it makes a perfect combo for lunch or dinner.
And there’s plenty of fresh veggies to go along with it like thick-cut cucumber and cherry tomatoes. The homemade Greek dressing soaks perfectly into each ingredient, injecting zesty flavor without becoming overly soggy. This simple white bean salad only gets better as the week goes on because the flavors have time to marinate with each other. So don’t be afraid of making extra to enjoy throughout the week.
Serves well as a side dish to grilled chicken or fish or eat it all on its own for a light meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of Randall Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 English (seedless) cucumber, cut into chunks
- 1 container cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
- 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Slowly whisk olive oil into the balsamic vinegar, stirring constantly.
- Add garlic, crushed red pepper flakes and basil. Tip: lightly crush the red pepper flakes and basil in your hand to release the oils in the herbs.
- Toss the beans and the vegetables lightly to coat.
- Taste to adjust seasoning. Garnish with Parmesan cheese. The flavor of the salad will improve overnight as the beans marinate, and this dish is equally delicious room temperature or cold.
Of course, you’ll need something a little bit more than a delicious, Mediterranean salad to keep you warm throughout the fall and winter. Soup is the perfect choice. Warm, easy to prepare and filling enough to stick to your ribs without filling you up to the point of discomfort. Soup also is great as leftovers. So, when you get home late without a plan or just don’t feel like cooking, you’ve got a great meal waiting.
If only there was a great collection of recipes right at your fingertips…
Oh, there is! Download a copy of our free cookbook featuring simple and delicious recipes using our famous jars of Randall Beans.
This recipe featuring Randall Great Northern Beans is a perfect summer side dish.
