_written may 6, 2026_ - prices are based on the trader joe's in hoboken, nj - makes 4 entree salads or 8 appetizer salads - gadgets needed: can opener, colander, large bowl, small bowl, spoon - prep time: 20 minutes, or quicker if you're good with a knife - cook time: n/a - clean time: 2 minutes ### blurb my friend's sister, violet witchel, is a huge proponent (inventor?) of the "dense bean salad". she's become tiktok famous from it, so i thought i should try it out. i made a few of her recipes, which were amazing -- needless to say, i'm hooked! the idea is that you make a bunch of them on sunday and eat them throughout the week, letting the dressing deepen the flavor with time. i will report back with my findings on this recipe. here is what i made today based on what was already in my pantry and fridge. my original recipes can be hit or miss, but this was a hit. it's delicious! ### ingredients | ingredient | amount, TJ's units | amount, standard units | price, $ | | ---------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | | chickpeas | one can | 15.5 oz | 1.19 | | great northern beans, or cannelini beans | one can | 15.5 oz | 1.19 | | steamed beets | one package | four | 2.29 | | cucumbers | one package persian cucumbers | 5 small cucumbers, or 30 linear inches of 1.5" diameter cucumber | 2.49 | | white onion | half | 1/2 | 0.50 | | lime juice | 2 tbsp | 2 tbsp | 0.50 | | miso paste (i used white) | 6 tbsp | 6 tbsp | 2.00 | | soy sauce | 4 tbsp | 4 tbsp | 0.10 | | rice vinegar | 2 tbsp | 2 tbsp | 0.05 | | maple syrup | 3 tbsp | 3 tbsp | 0.15 | | chili crisp | 1 tbsp | 1 tbsp | 0.10 | i would have liked to add edamame as well, but the store was out. ### instructions: 1. drain/rinse beans, salt, set aside, allow to drip 2. cut veggies to approx size of beans (size uniformity makes spooning it easier) 3. in a different bowl, make the dressing: 1. since the measurements are all in tbsp, you can use any spoon, since it is the ratio that matters over the exact volume produced 2. mix it together 4. add dressing and toss!!!! that's all, folks!!! ### cost total cost: $10.56 - cost per entree serving: $2.64 - cost per appetizer serving: $1.32 total cost if the store did have edamame: mystery