White Bean Edamame Salad

Hey there hot weather. I missed you dearly for that one week that you decided to leave IL. Now here you are back in full force. Welcome. (note: a slight hint of sarcasm)

Actually, hot weather doesn't bother me too much because I spend my days in an (over)air-conditioned building. The biggest issue is the walk to and from my car in my jeans and tennis shoes. That said, if you want a bowl of summer-y goodness, you have come to the right place. The white beans and edamame are hearty but light. The tang of the red onion mixed with the red wine vinegar and honey makes the flavor delectable. Plus, don't forget the bacon. The bacon threatens to make this a meal in and of itself, or a perfect side dish for a picnic at the beach (or pool or backyard or etc).

If you want to adapt it for a vegetarian or vegan diet, just substitute some olive oil for the bacon grease and omit the bacon crumbles. However, I wouldn't suggest it... this recipe is perfect and doesn't require tweaking. :)

White Bean Edamame Salad (adapted from A Spicy Perspective)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups cooked Northern Beans (or 15 oz can, drained and rinsed)
1 cup frozen edamame, thawed
1/2 cup chopped red onion
3 pieces bacon (plus + 1 tbsp bacon grease after cooked)
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp dried parsley (or 3 tbsp of chopped fresh parsley)
1/4 tsp paprika
dash of salt and pepper

Directions:
Using kitchen shears, cut the bacon into small pieces. Cook in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until crispy. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a small bowl lined with paper towels to soak up grease.

Combine 1 tbsp of bacon grease, red wine vinegar, honey, parsley, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk to mix thoroughly.

In a larger bowl, combine the beans, edamame and onion. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to mix. Chill in fridge until ready to serve. Top with bacon before serving.

Note: You can add the bacon before you chill the salad, but it will get a little soggy from the dressing. Still tastes good, but at least the first time around you may want crispy bacon. Leftovers with soggy bacon are still great :)