What makes this 3-bean salad special? A little bit of your thyme.

This classic, sweet-sour vegetable salad is open to interpretation. Chickpeas may be substituted for any of the beans, for instance, and crumbled cheese (tangy feta or blue) can be added shortly before serving; for the latter, start with ¼ cup and add more, as needed.

For best flavor, the salad needs to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. It can be made up to 3 days in advance.