This bean salad is a wholesome dish and so quick and easy to make. Great as a side dish or by adding additional ingredients makes a great main dish too, especially if you are vegetarian or vegan. So the dish is not only bursting with flavours, the mix is endless. Beans are high in protein and fibre, low in fat and low in calories. Another excellent reasons to eat more beans.

The main ingredients are beans but in the fold you can add sundried tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, olives, feta cheese, parmesan cheese or even topped with some fried pancetta or grilled speck. For vegans, there are a number of vegan cheeses you can buy or indeed make yourself.

Here we go:

Ingredient ideas:

Long green beans - boiled.
Chick peas (Ceci)
White beans (Spagna)
Red beans - Optional
Onions, lightly fried just to soften
Olive oil

Additional ingredients:

Sun dried tomates
Olives
Chopped mushrooms
Cheese, such as feta or shavings of parmasan
Pancetta or crispy grilled speck

Dressing - your choice:

Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Walnut oils
Seasoning