3 Bean Salad

A 3 Bean Salad is a classic picnic dish.  It's just like a potato salad or macaroni salad, but with beans.  It holds up well to the heat and can last a bit in your fridge as well.  It goes perfectly with some BBQ chicken or some burgers and dogs on the grill!  Mine wavers a bit from the "traditional" 3 Bean Salad because like everything, I had to add some heat! ;-) 

Ingredients:

- 1 can of wax beans, drained
- 1 can of green beans, drained
- 1 can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 or 2 stalks of celery, finely minced
- 1 medium onion, finely minced
- 1 small jalapeno, finely minced and seeded (optional)
- 1/2 Cup of Vegetable or Olive Oil
-  3/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 3/4 Cup Sugar
- Salt and Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, and Parsley to taste

Directions:

1.  Drain your beans (making sure to rinse your kidney beans!) and toss into a large bowl.

 2.  Chop your celery, your onion, and your jalapeno.  Toss those into the bowl as well.

 3.  In a separate bowl, mix together your oil, sugar, vinegar, and seasoning.  Whisk well until all of the sugar has dissolved.

 4.  Pour the sauce over the beans and veggies and mix well with a spoon.  Refrigerate for AT LEAST 1 hour before serving, but it's even better if it's left overnight!

 Here's the final product....

Turns out, I'm the only one in my family who likes 3 Bean Salad, lol.  The others aren't too keen on beans.  But that isn't going to stop me from making this dish again, because lemme tell you...it's SOOO good and absolutely perfect on a hot day!  Enjoy!