Lunch: Five Bean Picnic Salad

Recipe by /contributors/pat-neely Gina: This colorful salad is one of my go-to recipes when I need something to satisfy a crowd, whether at a church potluck supper or a backyard barbecue. The champagne vinaigrette gives the beans a fresh, zippy flavor. F

Ingredients

Kosher salt
3/4 pound green beans, trimmed and halved
3/4 pound yellow wax beans, trimmed and halved
One 14-ounce can dark-red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
One 14-ounce can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
One 14-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 bunch scallions, white and light-green parts, thinly sliced
1 red (or orange or yellow) bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnish
2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram or oregano leaves (optional)
1 recipe Champagne Vinaigrette
Freshly ground black pepper
Hot sauce

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous sprinkling of salt and the fresh beans, and cook until the beans are just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain the beans in a colander, and shock in ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
Place the fresh and canned beans, scallions, bell pepper, parsley, marjoram, and Champagne Vinaigrette in a large bowl, and toss to combine. Season the salad to taste with salt, pepper, and hot sauce.

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