While on my grocery shopping run this weekend, I ran into a nice package of fresh Cranberry beans. I did not hesitate to make the purchase, because I love including beans in my diet – and I knew what I wanted to make with them: My Borlotti/Cranberry Bean Salad, and here is the recipe for it!
While meal planning, I always make sure to include at least one bean-based meal per week. Beans are an excellent source of protein. They also contain several other nutrients, notably Folate. Also, beans are a rich source of antioxidants.
Borlotti/Cranberry Bean Salad
Ingredients
- Borlotti/Cranberry Beans
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- 1 Onion (Optional)
- 2 Garlic Cloves (Optional)
- 1 Red Pepper (Optional)
Instructions
- Get the Beans outThis is the fun part! Pit the beans out and gather them into a bowl. Then, give them a nice rinse and let them sit aside.
- Amplify the TasteThis is optional but highly recommended. To give your bean a subtle but a different flavor, you can add some extras to the water you are boiling it in. We like to add a couple of garlic cloves, an onion, and a slice of bell pepper. A pinch of cumin is an awesome addition too.
- Boil itFor every cup of beans, add 3 to 4 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, and allow it to simmer for 45 minutes or until the beans are soft.
- Mix it up!Toss your additives and keep the beans. Rinse it until cold water.Now, turn it into a salad by adding your favorite ingredients to it. We like keeping things simple, so we just added onions and tomatoes. Add a drizzle of Olive Oil to the mixture, then add some salt to taste.
Tomatoes and onions are always a good base to have when you are doing any type of bean recipe. Replace cranberry beans with chickpeas, kidney beans, white beans, etc.
The key to making this cranberry bean salad recipe delicious is how you boil them. When you put additional flavors into the boil it seeps into the bean itself making the flavors prominent and delicious!
Another secret is the dressing. To us the best dressing is lemon, garlic, and olive oil. Check out how to make that in the Lebanese Salata post. The next best dressing is pomegranate molasses. A staple in our Middle Eastern Grocery list!
Enjoy this delicious Borlotti/Cranberry Bean Salad!
If you liked our Borlotti/Cranberry Bean Salad Recipe, then check out the Food section of this blog for similar articles.
This recipe looks so lovely, is just perfect for summer.
Im a salad fan as it is a healthy alternative! Would love to try this out.
Beans and salad have multiple health benefits, I’m going to try this recipe.
Have never tried this, Thank you for sharing. We love beans and salad so I am sure it will be a great combo, will def try it.
I love bean salad in the summer time, but have never heard of cranberry beans. They’re so pretty looking! I can’t wait to try out this recipe!
Great post! Will definitely try this!