Red Bean Salad with Avocado and Apple
A protein-rich Italian bean salad combining soaked and boiled red beans with diced red apple, creamy avocado, and Greek yogurt. Bright lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh chives finish this refreshing dish. Requires advance soaking and cooking time.
Ingredients
- 1 lb red beans, dried
- 1 whole red apple, biogreen apple1:1fruit
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- 1 whole avocado, whole
- 1 whole lemon juice, from 1 lemon
- 1 pot Greek yogurt, permitted type
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- chives, fresh, chopped(optional)
- salt(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Rinse beans 2 or 3 times and transfer to a pot covered with water. Soak for at least 12 to 14 hours.
- 2
Bring beans to boil in unsalted water for approximately 2 hours. Adjust seasoning with salt near the end of cooking.
- 3
Wash, dry, and dice the red apple.
- 4
Peel the avocado, remove the pit, and dice the flesh.
- 5
Wash and chop the chives.
- 6
Combine apple and avocado in a bowl and drizzle with lemon juice.
- 7
Transfer beans to a bowl and dress with oil and salt. Mix gently and add the apple and avocado dice.
- 8
Gently mix and add yogurt and chives just before serving.
Tips
Soak beans overnight or for 12-14 hours to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
Dress avocado and apple with lemon juice immediately to prevent browning.
Add yogurt and chives just before serving to keep the salad fresh and prevent the texture from becoming soggy.
Good to Know
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep yogurt and chives separate if storing longer; add before serving.
Beans can be soaked and cooked up to 3 days in advance. Prepare diced apple and avocado up to 4 hours ahead; toss with lemon juice and refrigerate.
Serve chilled or at room temperature as a light lunch or side dish.
Common Mistakes
Do not salt the water during bean cooking to avoid toughening the skins; adjust seasoning at the end.
Do not prepare avocado too far in advance without lemon juice to prevent oxidation and browning.
Do not overmix the salad to keep the texture light and prevent mushiness from yogurt.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
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