Rice & Bean Summer Salad

There's nothing like fresh summer veggies mixed with rice and beans to make any meal a delight. Try this new combination and let us know what you think.

Rice & Bean Summer Salad ... (Serves 4) Adapted from Mary McDougall

  • 4 cups cooked brown rice
  • 15 ounce can black beans, drained
  • 15 ounce can garbanzo beans, drained
  • 1 bunch scallions, cut in thin slices
  • 2 large stalks celery, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 4 ounce can chopped green chilies
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
  • 1 cup frozen peas thawed
  • ½ cup cilantro or parsley, chopped
  • 1 cup of oil free dressing (recipe below) or 1 ½ cups salsa

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well with dressing. Refrigerate for 2 hours to allow flavors to blend.

Serve over a bed of lettuce.

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Oil Free Dressing

  • 2 large garlic cloves, mashed in a garlic press
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or ¼ cup date paste
  • 1 cup aquafaba from garbanzo beans or 1 cup vegetable stock
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¾ cup rice vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (or a mixture or rosemary, basil and oregano)
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Add all ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well.

Refrigerate remaining dressing. Use within 5 days.