Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Mixed Greens with Goodies and Beans



Day 3 of Bean Week dawned and I had a leeetle problem. I was scheduled to make/test a recipe for Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Bisque.

"This puppy doesn't have beans in it," hubs remarked, scanning the recipe.
"Thanks, Einstein, I hadn't noticed."

Luckily, I'd planned on serving the bisque with a salad, and white beans go just fine in a tossed salad, so Bean Week was still on!

Mixed Greens with Goodies and Beans
serves about 6

3 cups mixed greens, washed and dried
1 cup cooked white beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup artichoke hearts, drained and cut into pieces
1/4 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup slivered red onion
2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds, pine nuts, or slivered almonds
Your favorite viniagrette

The beans added a richness, the sundried tomatoes added a sweet element, the onion added punch, and the nuts/seeds added a crunchy element I liked.

Usually I make my own salad dressing, but a friend of mine recommended Brianna's Red Wine Viniagrette dressing, so we gave that a whirl. I must say, I liked it a lot! I hardly ever like the bottled dressings, but this one was delicious! I'm now keeping a jar on-hand for lazy days!



ps: Still no Beano. My mission failed; I went to the grocery store specifically FOR Beano, and when I got home, guess what I realized I'd failed to pick up? ARGH. I suck. However, this salad was relatively light on the beans, so all was fine in the end. Today, though, I need to freaking use my head and get some!

16 comments:

  1. And you added a favorite of my - artichokes! Yum! Can't wait to try this out!

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  2. oops...that would be a favorite of MINE. (I was so excited I just couldn't wait to click post comment!)

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  3. Will you be sharing that bisque recipe?

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  4. Have you ever tried Annie's Goddess dressing? It is amazing!

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  5. I definitely will be sharing it, Wendi! As soon as I can crawl out of my mountain-o-beans!

    biz: I will have to try that one! I love Goddess dressing.

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  6. Yes to bottled salad dressing and beans in salad. Trade the sun-dried for dried cherries and I'll be right over.

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  7. I have a sticky note on my purse to check for beano when I get home, if I still have some I will get it out today. :)

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  8. It's good to have a go-to bottled dressing. If I can be bothered to make salad it is hard to find the excitement for making dressing too!

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  9. Wow, I'm so impressed... you are trying great ways to use up all those beans. This bean challenge is a lot of fun to read about!

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  10. I hate it when I do that! You should write it on your hand! :0)

    Looks like a great salad!

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  11. I do that a lot too, go to the store for something specific and then forget to get it. My senior moments I guess.

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  12. Bravo for day three! It's great to get a good recommendation on a bottled dressing. Not many I care for, would rather go without. I want to try the Goddess one too! Nice salad, except for the beans (just kidding)!!

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  13. I'm not a salad-kinda-girl, but I can still appreciate your artistry. Such presentation!

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  14. Looks yum! I'd like to know more about that bisque too! ;) xxx

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  15. Do your kids eat these beans? Cuz if they do, you are a miracle worker.

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  16. Gibby,

    My kids did not eat the salad or the beans. They took a few spoonfuls of the soup and a couple of bites of the bean cakes (without the sauce/salad topper) and that was it.

    But I was stunned they did even that!

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