Blue Dragon Bean Salad with Bacon
We were invited to a picnic this past weekend and we needed to bring a side dish. I wanted to bring something from the garden with lots of color and flavor. While I have been battling raccoons all summer for tomatoes, I have been harvesting bunches of Dragon Beans and other varieties of bush beans from the garden. Bush beans are one thing that will grow in poor soil and the raccoons won’t eat them, not a one! I have commented before how Dragon Beans are my favorite variety. It’s a pretty yellow bean with purple strips, very prolific, freezes well and has a cool name. If you lived in the Central Ohio area you may remember the 55 restaurant group and their famously delicious 55 house salad. Well, this Blue Dragon Bean Salad with Bacon is a take on that salad. I used regular bacon but pepper bacon would be to die for.
Blue Dragon Bean Salad with Bacon
1 pound dragon beans or other bush beans
¼ cup thinly sliced Vidalia onion
1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
Vinaigrette to taste, recipe follows
¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
1/3 cup crumbled cooked bacon
Salt and pepper to taste
Steam beans until tender crisp, drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Placed drained beans in a pretty serving bowl, add onion, tomatoes and drizzle with a ¼ cup of vinaigrette. Toss until well combined. Add blue cheese and bacon, toss gently. Taste add salt and pepper if needed and add additional vinaigrette if needed.
Serves 4
Vinaigrette Recipe
¼ cup white wine vinegar
2 Tablespoon water
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flake
½ cup canola oil
Place all ingredients in a jar and shake well. This can be made a few days ahead and is more dressing then you will need. Use the remaining over fresh sliced tomatoes and onions or on your favorite garden fresh salad.
