Corn and Bean Salad

A week or so ago, Julie contacted me and asked if I would like to try out some Fage Total Greek Yogurt, (Fage, pronounced Fa - ye) I jumped at the chance. Not only is is my favourite kind of yogurt, but it is something that I use all the time!

I have been a yogurt fan ever since my school days in the 1970's. Not only did I take one in my little brown bag for lunch every day, but I think I must surely be the person who invented frozen yogurt, as I always had several little tubs in my mom's freezer, just waiting for me to dig in. Yes . . . I was way ahead of my time!



Anyways, today an Ocado Delivery truck drove up to my door and Todd said . . . "What did you order now?"

"Nothing!" I squealed with delight! "It's my free yogurt from Julie!"



Now for some facts: TOTAL Greek yogurt was first imported into the UK in the 1980's and has grown to become the nation's leading brand of Greek Yogurt. This lovely yogurt is made with cow's milk and a live active yogurt culture. The traditional straining method removes the whey of the nilk and any excess water, which is what gives TOTAL it's distinctive thick texture and mild natural flavour. It actually takes 2 litres of milk to make just one 500g pot! Not only is it incredibly thick and ric, but it's 100% preservative and additive free and contains no artificial sweeteners, thickeners or added sugars. From where I am standing that seems like a really good thing. I don't want to put a whole lot of artificial junk into my body if I can help it!



Straining the yogurt during it's production means that this yogurt can be heated without it splitting, which makes it incredibly versatile. (They do not recommend however that you heat the 0% yogurt.) I just know that it is delicious. I have some just about every morning, spooned out on top of my homemade granola and drizzled with a bit of honey. It's truly the breakfast of champions! I also love it spooned on top of fruit and puddings. It's much lower in fat than regular cream or creme fraiche.

To make a long story short, I have a fridge full of yogurt to use up now and you will be seeing a few ways that I am going to do just that over the next week or so.



Here is what I did with it today. A delicious, tangy and crunchy salad! Chock full of good things like beans and tomatoes, chickpeas and corn, with a tangy and spicy yogurt dressing. I felt positively self righteously healthy when I was eating it! (For more information about Total Green Yogurt, feel free to visit the Total Page. There's lots of goodies and facts there!)



*Corn and Bean Salad*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

Beautiful and colourful, this is one very tasty, and healthy salad! Try it out at your next barbeque!

For the dressing:
the juice of 3 limes
170g tub of Greek Yoghurt
(about 1 cup)
2 ounces olive oil (1/4 cup)
1 clove of garlic, peeled and minced
1 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
a large handful of fresh coriander, chopped (cilantro)

For the salad:
1 (415g or 15 ounce) tin of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed well
1 (415g or 15 ounce) tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels, uncooked (can use one tin of niblets corn, drained)
1 medium courgette, washed, trimmed and cut into small cubes
1 red bell pepper, trimmed and cut into small cubes
4 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into cubes
6 spring onionss, thinly sliced




Make the dressing by whisking together the lime juice, yoghurt, olive oil, garlic, salt and cayenne pepper. Fold in the chopped coriander.

In a large salad bowl, combine the beans, corn, chickpeas, red pepper, courgettes and spring onions. Pour the yoghurt lime dressing over top and toss to combine. Serve at room temperature.

Know what I am having for my bedtime snack tonight? That's right a nice little pot of yoghurt with some honey on top. Yummo!