I was at Trader Joe's the other day and noticed someone filling up her grocery cart with a dozen cans of Marinated Bean Salad.  Since I hadn't tried them yet, I stopped to ask her if they were really that good, and she cheerfully said that these beans were a staple in her pantry.  She often eats an entire can in one sitting!  She was doubling up because she planned to take them on a car camping trip with several other families.  Instant meal!

Beans are a terrific food to incorporate into your regular diet because they help lower cholesterol, decrease heart attack risk, and regulates blood sugars.  They're also full of vitamins and minerals, and low in calories.  So stock up on those beans!

Trader Joe's Marinated Bean salad is in essence the Three Bean Salad that is a classic summer picnic food, minus the canned green beans that are normally in this dish.  I decided to make a Fouir Bean Salad by adding fresh steamed green beans, since I don't really care for mushy canned green beans.  I used the dressing that came in the can with the marinated beans (and added some fresh lemon juice and fresh parsley to perk up the flavor), but you could make your own dressing with equal parts vinegar, oil, and sugar.  (The sugar is absolutely necessary.)

Four Bean Salad
1 can Marinated Bean Salad, including the juices/dressing
1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small cucumber, sliced (optional)
1/4 of a small red onion, thinly sliced or diced
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1. Steam the green beans for 5 minutes, or until crisp-tender.  Frozen green beans are also a good option.  Optional step: to preserve the bright green color, "shock" the green beans after cooking, by placing them in ice-cold water.
2. Stir all ingredients in a bowl.  Place in refrigerator for 2 hours, or up to overnight, to allow the green beans and cucumbers to soak up the dressing.  Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Serves 4.