Bean Salad

Last time I checked it was Spring...almost a month into Spring I might add, so do you think we can forget about this sucky weather for a minute and just enjoy a fresh, bean salad? To me, bean salad is the quintessential dish during the warm months because a) it doesn’t require the use of an oven and b) it’s ready in oh, about 5 minutes.

It was only last year that I discovered my love for bean salad. I was chatting with a friend of mine on the phone and she was talking about the bean salad she had just made, this got me wondering: Bean Salad? What do you put in a bean salad? Why have I never had one? Has anyone seen my lip balm? Why do people hate on twilight when it’s actually a good movie?

So, I’ll leave you to ponder those questions while making my favourite and easiest bean salad. And like I said, try and forget the fact that just yesterday morning, I woke up to a blizzard outside my house. Mother Nature - figure it out!


Living Lou’s Bean Salad

Ingredients

1 28 oz can bean medley
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
2 green onions, sliced (white and green parts)
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/4 tsp thyme
salt & freshly cracked pepper to taste

Directions

Drain and rinse bean medley and put the beans in a serving bowl.

Slice the green onions. Mix the sliced green onions, crushed garlic and thyme in with the beans. Add oil and vinegar and toss to combine. Season with lots of freshly cracked pepper and a little salt.

Enjoy the bean salad and cross your fingers for winter to finally be finished.

- Lou

p.s I don't actually like Twilight.

Meatless Monday ... Summer Salad with Basil Garlic Dressing!

As I write this post, it is 11:50pm on Monday, so it is still "Meatless Monday", I've been having issues with my photo editing software and I couldn't get the pictures to where I wanted them, but I've finally conquered the computer and been able to fix the problems!

So, I know in my last post I said that I would be posting about cupcakes next... well don't worry, those are still to come! But it is Monday, which means it's time for my weekly "Meatless Monday" post! Today, I decided to have a yummy, super healthy salad for dinner. But the real star of this salad was the dressing, a basil, garlic dressing. And it was delectable... yummmmm!



Ingredients (dressing, makes about 1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
1 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp parmesa cheese (grated)
a pinch of salt and pepper

Directions

Using a food processor, process the garlic until it is chopped, add in the fresh basil and pulse until finely chopped. Add in all of the other ingredients and process until smooth, or desired texture!

And there you have it, a simple to prepare, weeknight, meatless, dish!

p.s In case anyone is wondering what I put in my salad, lettuce, cucumber, mushrooms (matchstick), carrots (grated) and chopped broccoli (for some extra nutrients, broccoli is a super vegetable similar to sweet potatoes!) you can also add in some beans for a bit of extra protein!

- Lou

Pasta Salad

I would like to start by saying that in my last "Meatless Monday" post (found here) someone pointed out to me that fish is considered meat. I would like to clear it up that for myself I have never considered fish a type of meat, but everyone has their own opinions on the matter, and mine is that fish isn't meat. Therefore my "Meatless Mondays" posts may contain fish sometimes.

This week I have decided to make a vegetarian only meal of a colourful and delectable pasta salad! Perfect for a "Meatless Monday" or a nice and light summer meal. This recipe for pasta salad is absolutely amazing, not only is it very simple, and containing fresh vegetables but seriously, every single person who has tried this pasta salad has immediately fallen in love. When my friends come over they request this all the time!

Ingredients
1 package of your favourite pasta (rotini, fussili and penne work best.)
4 small pickles
2 green onions (green parts only)
8 kalamata olives
half a red pepper
1 carrot (grated)

Dressing
2/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar (note: using dark balsamic vinegar will make your pasta brown.)
1 clove of garlic (crushed)
1 1/2 tbsp dried basil
1 1/2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions

Whisk together all of the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl.

Cook and drain the pasta, following the directions on the box. Toss the warm pasta (make sure it's warm in order to infuse the pasta with the flavours of the dressing!)

Next, chop up all of the vegetables and add them to pasta. Toss and serve!

Please note: This is an amazing school or work lunch. Throw it in a Tupperware and you're good to go!

- Lou