Classic Three Bean Salad

Celebrate the 4th of July

I can almost guarantee that the food served on
the 4th will be hamburgers, hot dogs, potato
salad, bean salad, apple pie, ice cream and
maybe Boston cream pie. That would be the
menu at any 4th of July party that I was in
charge of. Simple delicious American comfort
food, that’s what I’m talkin about! A juicy
hamburger hot off the grill with a cool bean
salad as a side is perfection. I have to admit
that I love a great three bean salad. There is
something about the crunch of the onions and
bell peppers that goes great with the beans
and the tang of vinegar.

Classic Three Bean Salad

1 can (14.5oz) green beans
2 cups cooked kidney beans
2 cups cooked garbanzo beans
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper (you can use
green)
1 cup chopped sweet onion
Mix all ingredients in large bowl.

Dressing

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. Kosher salt

½ tsp ground black pepper

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

2/3 cup apple cider vinegar

Mix all ingredients with a whisk to combine

Mix dressing with bean mixture. Chill in
refrigerator.

I can never wait that long and always have a
bowl as soon as I make it, but it is better if it
chills a few hours or even for a day.

Lima Bean Flag

I also made a little craft for the 4th of July for
my side table. I used the Artist’s Loft flat
canvas that comes 5 to a pack at Michael’s. I
first painted the area for the stars with Prang
watercolor. When that dried I painted the red
stripes. I then glued down 13 baby lima beans
for the original colonies on the blue. I split the
large lima beans so they would lay flatter. I
find that if I use needle nose pliers to split the
beans it’s easier. Just put the bean in the pliers
and put a little pressure on them and you will
see the seam split. It is so much easier and
safer to separate the limas this way. You don’t
want to use a knife! After I glued them down to
the red stripe and the glue dried I painted
them red with the Prang watercolors.

I had to paint the beans twice to get good coverage.
After the red beans dried I glued plain large
lima halves for the white stripes. Michael’s
has these great Artist’s Loft burlap covered
boards that you can do so many crafts with.
They come 3 to a pack. After I took the picture
I thought I should have painted stars on the
burlap or maybe put the flag in a frame. I still
might do that before the 4th!

http://www.michaels.com/

http://www.prang.com/art/paints/watercolors