Make Four Bean Salsa for your Labor Day party

When mid-afternoon hits, my taste buds start going wild. They crave things crunchy and salty, yet healthy and filling. How to satisfy all of their wants creates quite the challenge. From granola bars to bowls of cereal, nothing I tried in the past filled every craving.

Then, one afternoon my friend opened a container she brought from home and offered me what looked like a sea of vegetables and beans hanging together in the herby smell of Italian dressing. Technically, this description fairly accurately describes its identity. Although correct, the taste of the salsa within the bowl carried its reputation above and beyond my initial impression.

I grabbed a tortilla chips and sunk it deep within the colorful chunks, scooping up more than anticipated. Not disappointed by this event, I continued to scoop the salsa basking in the filling, salty, healthy and crunchy taste that the tortillas and bean dip provided. Finally, my afternoon grumbling stomach rested fully satisfied by the late day snack.

This bean salsa now accompanies me to family parties, cookouts, gatherings with friends and would be great for Labor Day parties. No matter what the occasion, I know from the smiles on other’s faces, and the compliments spilling from their lips, that my taste buds do not stand alone in their love for this bean salsa.

Four Bean Salsa

Ingredients:

• 2 cans black beans
• 1 can pinto beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can cannellini beans
• 1 can sweet whole corn
• 2 green peppers
• 1 small red onion (or ½ a large one)
• 2-3 whole tomatoes
• 1 16 oz. bottle of Italian dressing

Directions:

Drain, rinse and combine the four cans of beans into a large container.

1. Drain the sweet whole corn (do not rinse) and add to the beans.
2. Chop remaining vegetables into small pieces and add to the large bowl or container.
3. Finish off by pouring in the majority of the 16-ounce bottle of Italian dressing (exact amount depends on preference).
4. Stir and enjoy with tortilla chips, over salad, with pita, or any other manner you can think of!

Going to a Labor Day party? What are you bringing?

Mom Central