| Home | Features | Cooking Dictionary | Cook-&-Book Reviews | Read the Articles |

Appetizer Recipes Bar & Brownie Recipes Beef & Veal Recipes Beverage & Drink Recipes Bread Recipes Breakfast Recipes Cake & Frosting Recipes Candy Recipes Chicken Recipes Cookie Recipes Dessert Recipes Ground Meat & Sausage Holiday Recipes International Recipes Lamb Recipes Pet Recipes Pie & Pie Crust Recipes Pork & Ham Recipes Salad & Dressing Recipes Sandwich Recipes Sauce & Condiment Recipes Seafood & Fish Recipes Sidedish Recipes Soup & Stew Recipes Special Diets Recipes Turkey Recipes Vegetarian Entree Recipes Wild Game Recipes

Tuscan Bean, Tomato and Bread Salad

4 cups cubed sourdough or Italian bread (3/4-inch cubes)
Vegetable cooking spray (may be garlic- or butter-flavored)
2 cups diced tomato
1 cup cubed cucumber
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 can (15 ounces) Great Northern beans or Pinto beans or 1 1/2 cups cooked dry-packaged Great Northern beans or Pinto beans, rinsed, drained
Salt and pepper, to taste
Basil Dressing (recipe follows)

1. Generously spray bread cubes with cooking spray and toss; spray again and toss. Arrange bread cubes on jelly roll pan; bake at 375° F until toasted, about 8-10 minutes. Set aside.
2. In salad bowl, toss tomato, cucumber, onion and beans with Basil Dressing; season with salt and pepper, add toasted bread cubes and toss again. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 main-dish servings or 8 side-dish servings.

Basil Dressing

1 cup packed basil leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 to 2 tablespoons balsamic or red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Process all ingredients in food processor or blender until almost smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Makes about 1/2 cup

TIPS: Bread may be prepared 1 to 2 days in advance; cool and store in airtight container at room temperature. Basil Dressing can be made 1 to 2 days in advance; refrigerate, covered. Any prepared basil or Italian dressing can be substituted.

Nutrient Information Per serving: Calories 296; Fat 9g; % Calories from Fat 25; Carbohydrate 45g; Folate 118mcg; Sodium 494mg; Protein 12g; Dietary Fiber 1g; Cholesterol 0mg

Recipe provided courtesy of The Bean Education & Awareness Network.