A delicious and wholesome pinto bean and spinach salad with cauliflower, avocado, red bell pepper, green onions, fresh flat-leaf parsley and mandarin oranges tossed in a fat-free sweet and sour dressing and garnished with toasted sunflower seeds.

Sweet & Sour Bean and Spinach Salad

1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans drained and rinsed
1 cup cauliflower florets
1 small avocado, peeled, pitted, cubed
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 green onions and tops, sliced
3 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup prepared fat-free sweet and sour dressing
4 cups packaged salad spinach
1 (11-ounce) can Mandarin orange segments, drained
2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds, optional
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Combine beans, vegetables, and parsley in salad bowl; pour dressing over and toss.
2. Add oranges and spinach and toss; season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon salad into bowls; sprinkle with sunflower seeds..

Makes 4 main-dish servings (about 1 1/2 cups each) or 8 side-dish servings (about 3/4 cup each).

Tip: Sweet and Sour Bean and Spinach can be prepared through Step 1 up to 2 days in advance; refrigerate, covered. Complete recipe as above.

Recipe provided courtesy of The Bean Education & Awareness Network.