Three-Bean Pasta Salad
by Cindi Sutter, Founder & Editor Spirited Table®—By Robby Melvin—This Story Originally Appeared On southernliving.com
We combined two potluck classics—pasta salad and three-bean salad—to make one tasty new side dish. Blanched celery is the unexpected star in this side dish; it has a tender-crisp texture and bright green color. Swap out the canned beans for your favorite cooked field peas.
Ingredients
Ingredient Checklist
8 ounces uncooked small shell pasta
8 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-in. pieces (about 2 cups)
½ cup thinly sliced celery (about 1 stalk)
1 pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 small shallot, minced
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 2 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 1 lemon)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
¾ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup thinly sliced chives
Directions
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions for salted water. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain.
Step 2
Cook green beans and celery in boiling salted water to cover until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Drain and plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain. Combine pasta, green beans, celery, pinto beans, and kidney beans in a large bowl.
Step 3
Combine shallot and vinegar in a medium bowl; let stand about 5 minutes. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, mustard, and honey, stirring with a whisk. Gradually whisk in oil until well combined; pour over bean mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss gently. Sprinkle with chives, and serve immediately.