Italian Green Bean Salad

If you are preparing a meal for mom this weekend, or maybe the mom's in your family, this fresh green bean salad would be a good addition to just about any menu. The salad can be prepared a day or two in advance to help with the ease of dinner preparations. Make ahead recipes go a long way in easing the feelings of last minute stress that so often accompany family gatherings. Make it easy on yourself and plan your meal around recipes that offer freedom to enjoy your family time. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...

Recipe:  

1 lb. fresh green beans   
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 small onion, sliced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
ripe olives
Vinaigrette Dressing

1. Wash beans and remove ends. Cut into 1" pieces
2. Cook beans in salted water until tender, about 5 - 10 minutes. You can also steam the beans until tender and adjust the salt in the vinaigrette to your taste.
3. Prepare dressing and pour over warm beans. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
4. Remove beans from vinaigrette to a serving bowl with a slotted spoon. Add tomatoes, onion, olives and Parmesan cheese. Stir and serve.

Vinaigrette:

1/3 cup olive oil
2 tbsps. red wine vinegar
1 glove garlic, chopped
1/2 - 1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
Dash pepper

Mix together ingredients and pour over salad. Allow flavors to blend for several hours or overnight.

Serves 4 - 6
about 71 calories per 1/2 cup