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This salad White Bean, Fresh Corn, and Heirloom Tomato Salad is light and fresh and full of fresh summer produce.
You may find yourself overflowing, bursting at the seams, abounding with an abundance of delicious, fresh summer produce, you know, the kind of stuff you'd give your eye-tooth for in a month or so when the cooler winds begin to blow. That's been my situation lately and I've been quite delighted with this "deluge" dilemma.
That's how this White Bean, Fresh Corn & Heirloom Tomato Salad was born. I was planning dinner one evening recently and wanted something light and fresh to go along with grilled chicken. I had a ton of lovely produce to use up and decided to make a white bean salad. I love using a variety of beans in different shapes and sizes. I chose cannellini and butter beans (a southern name for large lima-type beans) but feel free to use your favorite beans or whatever you have in your pantry.
The produce added to the bean base can also vary according to your garden, pantry or market. I had some beautiful fresh corn, seedless cucumbers and a variety of lovely, tiny heirloom tomatoes in hues of yellow, orange and red. Zucchini, summer squash, tiny sweet peas, slender green beans, sugar snap peas, etc. would also be wonderful additions or substitutions.
I used one of our favorite salad dressings, what I call The Café House Dressing, bursting with flavor, tying it all together (this is wonderful on just about any type of green salad. Check out other uses for this yummy dressing here). A shower of fresh herbs is the crowning glory. There you have it; a simple, delicious side, a winner for picnics or potlucks, perfect for brown-bagging - sure to be a hit!
- 1 15 ounce can cannellini beans rinsed and drained
- 1 15 ounce can butter or large lima beans rinsed and drained
- 3 ears fresh corn kernels cut from cobs
- ½ medium English seedless cucumbers, diced
- 1 pound heirloom tomatoes or other fresh tomatoes diced if large
- ½ cup fresh herbs packed (I used fresh basil and parsley but thyme, oregano and/or cilantro would also be delicious)
- ½ cup Café House Dressing more as needed
- sprigs of fresh herbs for garnish if desired
Amanda says
looks delicious! i think i'll try it for lunch today!
Jo Anne Tell says
I saw this yesterday when reading my e-mail, and it looked fabulous....it is! Made it this morning for our end-of-summer church picnic and it tastes as fabulous as it looks. I had to modify your dressing recipe as our pastor's wife is allergic to garlic, but it still tastes great. This is one of my new go-to recipes! Thank you!!!
Mary says
This sounds wonderful right now. I adore a salad that includes so much of the summer's fresh harvest!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I love salad with corn in it. This one is very refreshing and delicious salad. I can't get enough of heirloom tomatoes too. All the good stuff is packed in here. Wonderful salad!
Anne@FromMySweetHeart says
Chris...every year I find a new food love that so many people already enjoy. Last year it was blackberries. This year it is white beans! So I'm happy to see this gorgeous summer salad from you! : )
Veronica Miller says
This is one beautiful summer bounty salad! Love all those bright colors-just as pretty as it is delicious I'll bet!
Gerry @Foodness Gracious says
Super clean and healthy, i'd chuck in some grilled chicken and a huge glass of Chard and be done 🙂
Great recipe..
Lizzy Do says
I'm with Marina...I could eat this for any meal of the day! So full of fabulous fresh veggies and wonderful beans...such an excellent combination of flavors and textures 🙂
Kelly Mulcair Registered Nutritionist. Content © 2011 Trinity Nutrition. says
Oh, lovely, August in a bowl! So pretty and I just love how you've presented this salad.
Kelly Mulcair Registered Nutritionist. Content © 2011 Trinity Nutrition. says
Oh, lovely, August in a bowl! So pretty and I just love how you've presented this salad.
Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Boy I love beans, this salad sounds great! Enjoy your fresh veggies, I agree, we'll be missing them soon enough:@)
Kim Garceau says
This really is a lovely salad using all summer products! I just cooked some fresh cranberry beans today! I think I'm gonna try your salad (maybe with a twist!)
The Slow Roasted Italian says
Chris this looks delightful, so colorful and I love the creamy element the beans add to the salad.
Sandra Lee says
You are so great at capturing the seasons in these beautiful salads. This is fresh, vibrant and I know delicious. Kudos!!!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Chris you always make the most beautiful salads. I'm not really a salad lover but I think you could convince me. Maybe you should start selling The Cafe House Dressing!
Eri says
Yyyaaaay!!! Such a beautiful dish with amazing flavors and vibrant colors, my kind of food, I just love it Chris!
Catherine says
This looks wonderful, tasty and healthy, a perfect combination. Blessings dear. Catherine
Dining Alone says
So pretty and vibrant, and I am sure delicious as well. I love good salads with lots of flavor and texture. Have a great week!
France@beyondthepeel says
Gorgeous! I love all the flavors here and the added protein from the beans.
Rosemary says
I do have this dilemma and I love -- still -- looking for new ways to use my bumper crop well. Thanks for sharing . .
The Café Sucré Farine says
Oh Paula, I wish I could say that was true! No, we grow tomatoes, cucumbers and fresh herbs, that's about it but I've been finding wonderful stuff at the market lately.
Paula {Salad in a Jar} says
Are you saying all these veggies came from your own garden? Wow! I envy. What a great way to enjoy them.
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
Chris, that salad is all I need for breakfast, or lunch, or dinner... I love cannellini beans, I also love the zing from that spicy globe basil you added on the top...:)
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
Looks like a pretty terrific dinner. I have a white bean salad clipped to make sometime soon. It also included tuna but now I'm torn - because I want to make yours! Have a great week.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Ohh, this salad looks good!! I love creating recipes with all of the summertime fruit and veggies!! Have a wonderful week!!!