Black Bean Salad with Feta Cheese

This is one of my favorite salads,as I love black beans,feta cheese and tomatoes.

Ingredients;

3 cups of cooked black beans

1/4 cup olive oil

2-3 teaspoon red wine vinegar

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 green bell pepper

2 scallions,minced

1/4 pound feta cheese,crumbled

2 medium tomatoes,diced

ground pepper to taste

In serving bowl,combine the black beans with all but the cheese,tomatoes and the ground pepper.

mix thourouly and allow to marinate for 1-2 hours.

Just before serving add the feta cheese,tomatoes,and pepper.Toss well and serve.

Serves 4-6

 Another great recipe from my garden;

Spinach salad with warm blue cheese dressing;

1 1/2 pound spinach leaves

2 minced garlic cloves

3 teaspoons red wine vinegar

4 ounces crumbled blue cheese

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 red onion diced small

1/4 cup olive oil

2/3 cup light cream

salt and pepper

1.Clean and trim the spinach leaves.Combine leaves with onion in a large salad bowl.Cover and refrigerate.

2.Saute garlic in oil but do not brown.Stir in vinegarand bring to a simmer.Add cream and whisk to incorporate.The sauce will split.Bring mixture back to a simmer and turn down het to very low.Whisk in blue cheese and continue to stir until cheese is melted into sauce.As cheese melts it will bring the sauce back togeather.Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3.Pour sauce over spinach and toss to coat.Toss in walnuts..

Tostadas with black beans is a good meal and only takes 20 minutes to prepare with these directions.

You will need one 16 ounce can of drained black beans.

1/2 cup of canned refried beans

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

4 tostada shells

1 cup shredded spinach

3/4 cup diced tomatoes

1/4 cup shredded cheddar chees

2 tablespoons sour cream

2 tablespoons snipped cilantro

In a medium bowl,you will mash the beans ,refried beans,cilantro,chili powder.

Spread the mix over tostada shells.

sprinkle with spinach,tomatoes and chees.

Spoon sour cream over and add cilantro.

I like to place in microwave for 30 seconds.

You can substitute beans for meat if you wish.