Meatless Mondays: Cannellini Bean Salad With Lemon-Thyme Dressing

 

As I make an effort to adopt 'cleaner' eating habits I'm really trying to stay faithful to Meatless Mondays.   So far so good:  I've lost about seven pounds over the past four weeks.  Needless to say I'm very happy and pleasantly surprised!  Today I was in the mood for something quick, easy and fitting for the warmer weather we're experiencing.  This is my variation of a simple cannellini bean salad with roasted red bell pepper and a zesty lemon-thyme dressing.  The leftovers ought to taste even better for lunch tomorrow.  Recipe follows after the jump...

 

Cannellini Bean Salad With Lemon-Thyme Dressing

 

2 (15 ounce) cans of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 of a roasted red bell pepper (peeled, seeded and diced)

 

Lemon-Thyme Dressing

 

2 cloves garlic (if the cloves are rather large just use 1 clove)

3 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

1 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

 

In a large bowl add the drained cannellini beans.  Add the diced red bell pepper then season with a couple of pinches of sea salt (more or less to taste).  Set aside while you whip up the dressing.

 

I add all of the dressing ingredients listed above to a blender and blend until smooth (about 30 seconds to a minute).  Pour the dressing over the bean/pepper mixture and gently stir to coat evenly.  I like to add just a touch more lemon juice, fresh thyme leaves and chopped fresh parsley before serving.  Please feel free to tweak the recipe or adjust the seasoning to suit your tastes.