Beans are like a best friend: always reliable, super fulfilling, and up for just about anything you throw their way. They are happy to simmer in water alone, or be in a pot with whatever veggies and herbs you have hanging around. The sky is the limit with beans! The following is a very simple, basic recipe that can morph from a side dish to a full-fledged dinner with the addition of tuna, chicken, chorizo or just about any cheese. So cook yourself a pot of beans and have a field day. Enjoy!

- Queen Christine

Summer Bean Salad

• 1 pound of Rancho Gordo Sangre de Toro beans
• 1⁄4 cup parsley
• 1⁄4 cup lemon thyme
• 1⁄4 cup fresh oregano
• 1⁄4 cup fresh savory
• 2 tablespoons shallot, minced
• 2 tablespoons capers, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup Lidrivio olive oil
• 1⁄4 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1⁄2 lemon, juiced & zested
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt and pepper

1. Cook the beans using either a slow cooker or the traditional overnight soak and slow simmer method. Truth be told, if you don’t have the time, the soak is not necessary, just a long, slow simmer. Choose what method works for you and just be sure to cover the beans with at least 2 inches of water. Add to this any aromatics you have to lend flavor and depth to the final dish.

2. Give all of your fresh herbs a rough chop and set aside. 

3. Combine the olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, zest, cumin, salt and pepper to make a vinaigrette.

4. Combine the beans, herbs, shallot, capers and vinaigrette. Adjust seasoning.

5. Especially if making ahead, give the beans another taste to adjust seasonings again, and finish with a good drizzle of olive oil before serving. 

Serves: A lot! Seriously, a pound of cooked beans, especially loaded with goodies, will feed the masses. 

Cooks tip: Portion out what you need and freeze the rest for a quick salad or side on another day.