I am vegetarian. I don't have grandiose ideas of cruelty to animals (although I don't like it), and don't preach my views to those who disagree. But that does not mean that I won't defend my choice of not eating meat either. I am no push-over, and when push comes to shove...I can shove right back. I don't care what you do, don't try and talk me into you way of thinking just because I don't practice it. And I won't try and talk you into my way of thinking.
So beyond that, I have this recipe that everyone loves. I get asked for it all of the time. It is fairly simple. A bit time consuming in the preparation, but fresh and so good. Completely vegan, for those who care, as does my vegan daughter (not the one freaked out by the kneading Picasso). And before you ask, yes she gets enough protein.
Now take note, you are going to want to put the dressing in a food processor. Don't do it! I have tried it and the taste is not the same. We eat this with tortilla chips, like you would as a dip. And we eat a ton of it for our entire meal (family of four) and have leftovers. But I have also tried to scale it down....doesn't work. So back to the recipe: it is too good not to share!
Bean Salad
Ingredients:
1 - 15 oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 - 15 oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 - 15 oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 green bell pepper, chopped or diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped or diced
1 yellow and/or orange bell pepper, chopped or diced
1 - 10 oz package frozen corn kernels
1/2 - 1 red onion, chopped or diced (depending on how much you like red onions)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 Tbl fresh squeezed lime juice
1 Tbl fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 dash hot pepper sauce
1/2 Tbl ground cumin
1/2 Tbl ground black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
2 Tbl white sugar
1 Tbl salt
1 clove crushed garlic
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Tortilla chips
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine beans, bell peppers, frozen corn, and red onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime and lemon juice, hot pepper sauce, cumin, black pepper, chili powder, sugar, salt, garlic and cilantro.
3. Pour olive oil dressing over vegetables, mix well. Chill thoroughly and serve with tortilla chips.
It is such a beautiful color and the taste is so fresh. Enjoy!!
You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients.
~ Julia Child