Overnight Marinated Vegetable and Bean Medley
Transform humble vegetables and beans with a delightful homemade dressing in this Overnight Marinated Vegetable and Bean Medley. This recipe is inspired by a tangy salad dressing I once crafted on a whim, which sparked the creation of this flavorful salad when I realized I had no lettuce on hand. The dish features a vibrant array of fresh vegetables that are marinated overnight to soak up the zesty dressing, resulting in a salad that is bright, satisfying, and perfect for any occasion. Make a large batch to enjoy throughout the week or easily scale it down for a quick side dish. Remember, for convenient measuring, 4 tablespoons equals 1/4 cup.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
celery
4 stalks (chopped)
carrots
6 (chopped)
broccoli
2 stalks (chopped)
bell peppers
3 (chopped (yellow, red, green))
cauliflower
1 head (chopped)
red onion
1 (chopped)
kidney beans
19 ounce can (drained and rinsed)
chives
4 tbsp (chopped)
olive oil
13 tbsp
white wine vinegar
9 tbsp
sugar
1/4 tsp
Dijon mustard
2 1/2 tsp
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
In a large sealable container, combine the chopped celery, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, red onion, and drained kidney beans.
2
For the dressing, place the chopped chives, olive oil, white wine vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper into a blender. Blend until smooth and well combined. Alternatively, whisk the ingredients together vigorously in a bowl until emulsified.
3
Pour the dressing over the vegetable and bean mixture in the container.
4
Seal the container tightly and shake well to ensure the dressing evenly coats all the ingredients.
5
Place the sealed container in the refrigerator to marinate overnight. For best results, shake the container briefly each time you open the fridge to ensure the dressing is redistributed evenly among the ingredients.
6
Serve chilled as a vibrant side dish or a light main course.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Overnight Marinated Vegetable and Bean Medley?
It is a vibrant salad featuring fresh vegetables and kidney beans marinated overnight in a zesty homemade dressing of olive oil, white wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard.
How long should the salad be marinated?
For the best results and flavor absorption, the salad should be marinated in the refrigerator overnight.
What vegetables are included in this medley?
The recipe includes celery, carrots, broccoli, yellow, red, and green bell peppers, cauliflower, and red onion.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one 19-ounce can of kidney beans, which should be drained and rinsed before use.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, based on the ingredients provided, this recipe is vegan-friendly.
How do I prepare the dressing?
You can blend the chives, olive oil, white wine vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a blender until smooth, or whisk them vigorously in a bowl until emulsified.
What is the ratio for measuring tablespoons to cups mentioned in the recipe?
The recipe notes that 4 tablespoons is equal to 1/4 cup for easier measuring.
Can I serve this as a main course?
Yes, it can be served as a vibrant side dish or as a light main course.
What kind of vinegar is best for the dressing?
The recipe specifically calls for 9 tablespoons of white wine vinegar.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe requires 13 tablespoons of olive oil for the marinade.
Do I need to shake the container while it's marinating?
Yes, it is recommended to shake the sealed container briefly each time you open the fridge to redistribute the dressing evenly.
Can I adjust the recipe size?
Yes, you can make a large batch for the week or easily scale it down for a quick side dish.
What kind of mustard is used in the dressing?
The recipe uses 2 1/2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
How many bell peppers do I need?
The recipe calls for 3 bell peppers, preferably a mix of yellow, red, and green.
Is there any sugar in the marinade?
Yes, the recipe includes a small amount (1/4 teaspoon) of sugar to balance the dressing.
How many stalks of celery are used?
The recipe uses 4 stalks of chopped celery.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
It was inspired by a tangy homemade dressing created on a whim when the cook realized they had no lettuce on hand.
How many carrots are included?
The medley includes 6 chopped carrots.
How much broccoli is needed?
The recipe requires 2 stalks of chopped broccoli.
What type of onion should I use?
One chopped red onion is used for this salad.
How much cauliflower is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 head of chopped cauliflower.
Are the chives fresh?
The recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of chopped chives to be blended into the dressing.
Should the salad be served warm or cold?
The salad should be served chilled.
What kind of container is recommended for marinating?
A large sealable container is recommended so you can shake it to coat the vegetables without leaking.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, vegetable-heavy dish.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 14 ingredients.
Can I use different beans?
While the recipe specifies kidney beans, the 'bean medley' tag suggests it is adaptable, though the original uses a 19 oz can of kidney beans.
What seasonings are added to the dressing?
In addition to the wet ingredients, salt and pepper are added to taste.
Does the recipe require any cooking?
No, this is a no-cook recipe that relies on marinating to 'cook' or soften the vegetables and meld flavors.
How should the vegetables be prepared?
All vegetables (celery, carrots, broccoli, peppers, cauliflower, and onion) should be chopped into bite-sized pieces.