Red Bean and Rice Salad with Smoked Ham

Sometimes you would like the taste components of red beans and rice, but don't have all day to soak/cook the red beans.  This is a different twist on the traditional red beans, rice and sausage dish.  You can serve this one either warm or cold.

3 cups cooked rice

1 can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup finely chopped red onions

1/4 cup finely chopped celery

1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped smoked ham

Dressing:

¾ cup olive oil

4 T. red-wine vinegar

2 T. fresh lemon juice

1/8 t. cayenne pepper

½ t. salt

1 clove garlic, peeled and minced

½ t. freshly ground black pepper

Place the salad ingredients in a medium bowl.  Whisk together the dressing ingredients and pour over salad and gently stir the dressing into the salad.

Adapted from Martha Stewart's recipe