Insalata Tuscana: Our Blend

We love us some balsamic vinegar; be it in dressing form {my hubby makes a mean homemade version} or glaze consistency.

And it just so happens that I am on a bean kick right now {in an effort to eat better, on a budget, and consume less meat in the process}.

The marriage of the two {beans and balsamic} is stupendous!

We tried this combo a while back at Houlihans, in their “Tuscan Salad”. 

And our favorite salad at Bravo! is the “Insalata Mista”…mixed greens loaded with chopped tomatoes, crumbled bacon, red onion and gorgonzola.  With, of course, balsamic dressing!

Why am I telling you all this, you wonder…?

Well…we stumbled upon something outlandishly delectable when the two collided in our very own kitchen…and we’re calling it the “Insalata Tuscana”.

Tuscan Salad…meet Insalata Mista…you were destined to be together!  We thought you should know.

Insalata Tuscana

Ingredients:

• A bag of mixed greens
• 1 can of northern beans (or any white beans will do), drained and rinsed
• 2 chopped tomatoes (use as little or as much as you enjoy)
• 1/2 cup of crumbled bacon
• 1/2 of a small red onion, finely chopped
• balsamic dressing
• goat’s milk cheese {we buy it when it’s marked down for quick sale…because we’re cheap!}

Directions:

• Mix your beans, tomatoes and onions in 1/4 cup of balsamic dressing and set aside to ‘marinade’.
• Starting with the mixed greens, layer your beans, tomatoes and onions, and bacon.  ‘Plop’ a tablespoon of cheese on top, AND drizzle with a little more balsamic dressing.
• Pose in embarrassing fashion so wife can take incriminating photo.
• Devour salad!

It’s good stuff!

But don’t take my word for it…give it a whirl…you can thank me later.