Side Dish

The internet is buzzing with dense bean salads right now. After some Tik Tok investigation, I was surprised to learn that I have been making them for years! A big, protein bomb salad that keeps in the fridge all week that I can reach for a couple of times a day keeps me alive when life gets super hectic. It gets better every day as the ingredients marinate in the dressing, too. Instead of a basic vinaigrette, I like to make my favourite Peruvian sauce/condiment for the dressing. Despite the mayo (you can use low-fat mayo), it is not heavy, it is a bit spicy, it’s tangy, and it’s pretty and delicious. You can make this salad vegan using vegan mayo and feta. It is low fat, protein rich, high fibre and dense - it will fill you up and keep you feeling full. I used a combo of white and black beans, but you can use whatever you have. Just remember to make it colourful, crunchy and deliciously beany.

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the vibrant and refreshing flavours of this Cucumber Salad with Beans! Crisp English cucumbers, white pea beans, and zesty red onion unite in a medley of deliciousness. The dressing, bursting with notes of sweet, salty and sour, will take your entire meal to the next level.

Warmer weather means it’s time to start thinking about picnics, potlucks, and pasta salads! This recipe is loaded with tender pasta, fresh kale, creamy white beans, sun dried tomatoes, briny olives, and heaps of Parmesan and feta cheese. Tossed in a bright and garlicky basil dressing, the pasta salad tastes best after it rests in the fridge for an hour before serving, and given the sturdiness of the greens, it’s perfect for make-ahead meal planning too. Not only does the pasta salad taste delicious, it’s nutrient-dense thanks to the fibre and protein rich white beans and the superfood that is kale.

Romano bean salad with canned Mackerel, potatoes and fennel, A lovely way to close off the summer season. Lovely flavors and textures of boiled potato, Romano beans, and mackerel, play joyfully with the freshness of red onion, fennel, and parsley dressed simple with Evo oil, salt and pepper. A real healthy wonderful bright lunch meal!

It’s August in Ontario, meaning tomatoes, corn, and zucchini are at their best. This salad makes the most of our late summer harvest. We are adding crispy cranberry beans for a proteinpacked crunch that is gluten-free, low fat, and delicious flavour. These addictive beans also make a great snack. I like to throw them into a bowl with roasted nuts and dried cranberries.

Loaded black bean nachos are such a crowd-pleaser! They are easy to make and great to put out for a game night or Superbowl party. You just layer all the ingredients in a sheet pan, bake and enjoy. Customize the toppings to your liking. These nachos are vegetarian and are high in fibre and low in saturated fat.

Roasted red pepper and white bean dip is an easy, flavourful and healthy appetizer. The dip is slightly sweet and smoky from the red peppers and pairs well with the crunchy pita chips. Serve it as an appetizer for guests or enjoy as a healthy snack anytime.

Along with Carbonara, Gricia and Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe is one of the four classic pastas of Rome. This version is made with white kidney beans replacing the pasta.

Thanks to electric pressure cookers, like the Instant Pot, we can have delicious, wholesome black beans on a busy weeknight. From start to finish, it takes just under an hour, no soaking required.