Bean and rice salad

Thank you all for the wonderful reviews, they mean a LOT to me! I first came up with this recipe back in 2004 when my husband was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It has evolved over the years, with additions, changes, or whatever my mood is. I now use EVOO and fat-free Italian dressing to equal roughly 1/4 cup (percentage of each is up to your personal tastes) I have tossed in asparagus, sunflower seeds, and completely switched to black beans about 4 years ago. The best thing some groceries have ever come up with for a busy working person are chopped veggies, and I have used my share of diced onions, and peppers from the grocery. I also used the precooked brown rice the last time, worked GREAT! I had an over abundance of cherry tomatoes last year, and halved a big handful and tossed them in. Ditto with extra Mini Pearl (grape tomatoes from Trader Joes), those go in whole. I have been known to toss in diced ham or chicken if the carnivores were descending. Happy cooking, and ENJOY!  -  25 Aug 2010  (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)

This is a delicious and beautiful salad! With the addition of carrots, it would have every color in the rainbow (except blue, of course!) and it tastes even better than it looks! I didn't add the mushrooms, because I didn't have any, and I also doubled the amount of salad dressing, because it was a little bland. With these changes, the salad is absolutely fantastic and so healthy! I will definitely make this again; thanks for sharing!  -  23 Apr 2009  (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)

I've been looking for a rice salad recipe for the longest time! I used to work in a coffee house that sold a sunflower-seed-longrain rice salad that I loved, and this recipe is almost EXACTLY the same! I followed the recipe as stated and added shredded carrot and sliced green onion to it. I didn't have any beans, but the salad was just fine without them - although I will try adding chick peas in the future. I used Kraft Golden Italian dressing, and like other reviewers, added MUCH more than the recommended 2 tbsp...I added over 5 tbsp ;P But it's really up to the individual - if you like more dressing, then this recipe allows you to add more without ruining the combined flavours My family like this recipe so much that I had to make ANOTHER batch the next day! And my hubby suggested I make this salad for upcoming family functions I will continue making this salad, especially during the summer when I like eating lighter  -  24 Feb 2010  (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)