Bean and grain salad

 This recipe makes a great side dish, but can also be eaten as a vegetarian main dish, perhaps with a green salad on the side.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup dry grain, such as rice, couscous, quinoa or even small macaroni, prepared according to package instructions. 

3 different 15-ounce cans of beans, such as black beans, kidney beans and garbanzo beans (chick peas); all rinsed and drained.

1/3 cup diced red onion.

1/2 cup diced fresh red pepper, or ¼ cup diced roasted red pepper from a jar.

½ teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

¼ cup olive or salad oil

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.

DIRECTIONS: Place cooked grain, beans and red onion together in a bowl. Whisk together spices, oil and vinegar and then toss with the other ingredients. Allow to sit for 30 minutes or more and then toss again before serving.