Crunchy Black Bean and Wild Rice Salad

1 can cooked wild rice

1 can hearts of palm

1 can black beans

Drain and rinse these, slice the hearts of palm and combine all three in a medium glass bowl.  Add the following chopped ingredients.

⅓ lg. red pepper

¼ lg. purple onion

2 ribs of celery plus tops

1-2 lg. cloves garlic - minced

Combine everything with a good splash of your favorite dressing.  Italian is great and enhances the fresh quality of the ingredients, but even ranch or bleu cheese dressing are good. . .Lin

Italian Pasta Salad

1c brown rice pasta

1 can hearts of palm

1 can artichoke hearts

1c chopped celery

1 med. purple onion

4 med.-lg. cloves garlic - minced

¾c red kalamata olives

½c chopped roasted red pepper

½c capers

½c Italian dressing

2c chopped Cajun turkey breast

Cook, drain and rinse the pasta in cold water.  When well drained, put in a large glass bowl.  Add sliced hearts of palm and quartered artichoke hearts, all the chopped vegetables, dressing and turkey.  Toss and chill for an hour or so before serving. . .Lin