Bean Salad in Italy

While in Italy with SweetBippy and her dad (my dad first but I'm okay with sharing), we whipped up a tasty 3 bean salad consisting of cannellini beans (white kidney beans), cici beans (garbanzos) and Italian red beans.  I doctored them up with olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, red onion, green olives, garlic and some other stuff which I can't remember right now.

Let me tell you what...SweetBippy is NOT a big fan of beans.  She went along with the idea because we were tired of staring at each other while standing in the store and needed to come up with a second side dish and our dad likes beans.  I think we were making this as part of our Father's day feast but I may be a little fuzzy on the details.

*edited by Sweetbippy* It was actually the last meal we made on Thursday after we saw David in all his naked glory because we were both wearing dresses that day. And you're right, we were having trouble making decisions that day on what to bring home to eat. Good choice Sister! I bought beans to recreate that salad! I'll be calling you for the recipe! 

Anyway, even though she was skeptical, she LOVED the bean salad.   Dad loved the bean salad.  I declared the bean salad to be my new best friend. 

If I had a picture, I would totally post it but it seems that all of the food pictures were not taken by me.

*edited by Sweetbippy* 

Instead, I give you a like to a cannellini bean spread that looks like it could be the bean salad's delicious cousin.

And my second new best friend.

Leslie

*edited by Sweetbippy*

I was actually craving some bean salad today so I attempted to recreate as best I could the bean salad we had in Italy. The only things missing was fresh grated parmesan cheese, salami milano from the local store, and this awesome olive "salad" made with 3 or 4 kinds of olives, olive oil, and spices. I may go down to my local market and get some olive salad so I can recreate the best bean salad I've ever had.

Here is my version:

Italian Style Bean Salad

1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 can light red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can great northern beans
(cannellini beans if you can find them or other small white bean like navy), rinsed and drained

olive oil, about 4 tbs.
red wine vinegar, about 4 tbs.
garlic, chopped ( I used bottled)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Veggies: I used white onion because that is what I had, but it tastes wonderful with red onion as well. I added what I had in the fridge ( cucumber, and red pepper both diced) and some campari tomatoes (like large grape tomatoes very sweet and delish!). I also added fresh basil that I pulled off the plant, to taste. About 3 tbsp.
Some grated parm cheese, and some shredded parm cheese. 

Mix together and let sit to marinate about 20 min.

Enjoy! 

(Leslie, if I've forgotten anything, feel free to speak up!! )