I swear, some days I only have a lemon and a dream. This White Bean, Snap Pea, and Tomato Salad came from such a dream. The Boyfriend had been on the road all week, and typically by the time he gets home, he’s weary from the road. This may sound silly, but it’s important to me that he eats a home cooked meal when he gets back from a long trip. All week he eats cruddy food on the road and a nice meal is special to come home to.
On this particular evening, he called me and said, “I am going to be starving when I get home…” which was in about 30 minutes. Being the best girlfriend ever – a widely known fact about me – I dropped what I was doing and jumped on the dinner plan.
Unfortunately, it had been a hectic day and I hadn’t been to the store in several days. This is when I started scavenging through the fridge to figure it out. I had some pork chops that needed to be cooked – okay easy enough. Protein – done! I had a half a head of cabbage still in tact – Sauteed Buttered Cabbage… Green Vegetable – done! And for my last trick… hmmm…. hmmmm…. hmmmmmmmmm.
We had no potatoes, no pasta, and no rice. The cupboard was looking pretty bare. But there it was, in the far reaches of the tipity-top of my pantry, a lone can of Great White Northern Beans. I doubled back to the fridge. I pulled out a handful of cherry tomatoes that were on their last day and the only other vegetable I had – snap peas. Okay dokey… White Bean, Snap Pea, and Tomato Salad – let’s see what we can do with this.
Adding to my bean and veggie finds, was a lemon, olive oil, garlic, dried parsley, and dried chives. Let it be known that I put lemon and lemon zest in just about everything we eat. I seriously buy about I can make almost anything tasty with enough lemon, salt, and olive oil. And for that reason – I love Love LOVE my Progressive Dome Lid Citrus Juicer
I rinsed off the beans and tossed them into a bowl. I chopped up my snap peas into thirds and halved my heirloom cherry tomatoes. I added a little zest from half a lemon, chives, parsley, pepper, and salt.
I also tossed in a generous teaspoon of minced garlic, the juice of one lemon, and some olive oil.
Give it a good stir, cover, and let it sit at least 15 minutes. The White Bean, Snap Pea, and Tomato Salad gets better as it sits, you can easily make this a day in advance or in the morning on your way out the door. And let me tell you… it was fantastic!
The combination of the creamy white beans, earthy tomatoes, sweet snap peas, acidic lemon, and salty garlicky herbiness seriously hits every taste-bud. It paired perfectly with our peppery seared pork chops and buttery sweet cabbage. This would be perfect with grilled meats or fish, as potluck salad, or even a nice lunch on some arugula and some crusty bread. It can be easily doubled or tripled.
The Boyfriend LOVED this White Bean, Snap Pea, and Tomato Salad! It is now a regularly requested favorite of his – and I don’t mind making it. Only a handful of ingredients, it took me 5 minutes to make, and it’s healthy – I really can’t ask for more than that! So I guess his home cooked meal dream came true this night… again… best – girlfriend – ever!
- 1 can White Beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup snap peas, cut in thirds
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of half a lemon
- 1 Tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried chives
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 4 Tbsp Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Mix together all ingredients. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and let sit for at least 15 minutes. Enjoy!
- This can be made a day in advance.
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I love the fact that as long as you have a can of beans in the cupboard it can make dinner so much easier! I often grab one when I haven’t planned much in advance and then see what else I’ve got in the fridge to go with it. This looks really tasty.
Okay. I love that you’re calling it “No Need to Measure.” That’s my kind of recipe!
I could eat this on its own – yummy! I love all the different textures you have there. And that juicer is the cutest – I want one!
What a beautiful and fresh salad! I’m always searching for ways to eat more beans and this looks delicious!
What a delicious salad, I love white beans, a perfect combination with tomatoes, fresh peas and the lemony salad dressing. Perfect for a quick and healthy mid week meal, thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you for reading it!
I totally get why a home cooked meal is so important to your boyfriend after being on the road. When I travel a home cooked meal is what I miss the most. And what a great girlfriend you are dropping everything to make sure that he has a nourishing and filling meal. P.S. Loving that little juicer. I have an electric juicer that I use daily but I like that you can see the actual measurements on this one.
I think my next step up will be an electric juicer. I just use the heck out of mine, so I think I need to upgrade eventually. Which one do you use?
I love white beans in my salad. My most favorite salad with beans is the one with chicken and lots of chilies. I love this version also.
Mmmm, that sounds amazing!
This looks like such a delicious salad. Snap peas are so crisp and perfect to add to any dish. The white beans are perfect…and adds fibre and nutrition. Perfect summer salad.
Thank you!
Sometimes those last minute inspirations are the best! When they actually ask for it later, you know you got it right… LOL
And you are right – when someone had been on the road, they really need a homecooked meal. It’s just part of being home!
Ha ha! So true.
This looks so good. I can’t wait to make this for our next cookout. Summer here we come!
Thanks!
I love bean salads! They are a perfect option for the summer.
It has become a staple in our house, we love this salad. It’s so fast and keeps for days.
I love a salad that will fill you up without adding any meat :). I love your salad combo because you can eat it late as well. Thanks for sharing!
What a delicious looking salad! I love the idea of using up items we already have, and I actually have everything but the snap peas…hmmm looks like I am making a grocery trip so I can make this one asap! It sounds so light and refreshing, can’t wait to give it a try!
I swear, some of the best recipes come from “Macgyvering” a dish from what’s on hand. The salad looks fabulous and I’m sure the boyfriend appreciated him home-cooked meal.
I’m pretty sure almost all of my “recipes” come from Macgyvering. I’m the worst at a plan. I will completely change my mind and how I’m doing something as I’m doing it.
Ah, this is a perfect recipe for early spring. Thank you for sharing, I know it will be delicious!
Yummy! This looks delicious! I like a good bean salad. I usually make bean salad for family cookouts. Can’t wait to try this.
What a great salad combination! I’ve recently discovered the awesomeness of adding canned white beans to salads. In addition to adding great flavor, they add protein making the salad more substantial.
It is a staple in our house. A good ol’ can of beans goes a long way!
That juicer looks like a lot of fun! This is my favorite time of year when veggies start to come into season – I love being able to make a salad on short notice that’s so fresh and lovely. Definitely want to try this combination!
I think you are right, your boyfriend should absolutely have good home cooked food when he’s home. And this salad has everything that’s good in it!
I love a salad you can make with whatever you have left in the fridge and pantry, and this one sounds like a winner. I bet it would also be great with some garbanzo beans, which is usually what I have lying around in the pantry most of the time.
My little boys love white beans. It’s the only thing healthy I can get them to eat! I’m going to try this with cannellini beans. 🙂