Fresh Salad of Green Beans and Cherry Tomatoes
Crisp and Juicy Summer Salad: A Green Bean and Cherry Tomato Delight
Dive into a light, healthy, and super-scrumptious summer salad! Whip up a quick vinaigrette with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped shallots. Drench crisp blanched green beans and sweet halved cherry tomatoes in this delightful dressing, sprinkle some chopped parsley, and you're good to go! Serve this salad alongside mouthwatering Grilled Rib Steaks, Grilled Salmon, Leg of Lamb, or a Whole Grilled Bass.
- Serving Size: 6 to 8 hunger-busters
- Culinary Skill Level: A cinch, even for beginners!
- Time To Prepare: Approximately 40 minutes
Ingredients You'll Need:
- 1 tablespoon finely diced shallot (Approx. 1 medium shallot)
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (From approximately 2 lemons)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional as required
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
- 6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (From 3 lemons)
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 pounds green beans, ends snipped off
- 2 pints (around 1 pound) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup finely sliced fresh Italian parsley leaves and stems
Unleash the Flavors: Step-by-Step Instructions
- Fill a large pot with heavily salted water and make an ice bath by filling a separate bowl halfway with ice and water. Prepare these elements before whisking up the dressing.
- In a medium, non-reactive bowl, mix together shallot, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Gradually drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly until evenly combined. Set the dressing aside.
- Drop green beans into the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, roughly around 3-4 minutes. Drain the green beans and plunge them into the prepared ice bath. Once the beans have chilled, drain them again and blot them dry with paper towels.
- In a large bowl, combine chilled green beans, tomatoes, and chopped parsley. Drizzle the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss until every piece is well-coated. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.
Pro Tips:
Boost Your Flavor Quotient: Recipe Ideas and Food Pairing Suggestions
When you serve this Green Bean and Cherry Tomato Salad with grilled meats or fish, consider enhancing your dish with these additional recipe ideas and flavor combinations:
Grilled Rib Steaks:- Herb-Coated Rib Steaks: Brush rib steaks with a blend of fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and garlic before grilling.- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Add some creamy roasted garlic mashed potatoes to your meal to complement the Green Bean and Cherry Tomato Salad.- Grilled Onions: Caramelize onions slowly for a sweet and savory element that pairs beautifully with these flavors.
Grilled Salmon:- Lemon-Dill Sauce: Top grilled salmon fillets with a flavorful lemon-dill sauce for an extra-refreshing touch.- Quinoa Pilaf: Serve the Green Bean and Cherry Tomato Salad with a nutrient-packed quinoa pilaf containing toasted almonds and a hint of lemon.- Grilled Lemon Zest: Add a touch of freshness by sprinkling some grated lemon zest over the salad.
Leg of Lamb:- Rosemary-Garlic Leg of Lamb: Marinate lamb in a mixture of olive oil, rosemary leaves, garlic, and lemon zest before roasting or grilling.- Roasted Lemon Potatoes: Toss potatoes with olive oil, roasted lemon zest, and rosemary for a zesty side dish.- Greek-Inspired Salad: Add feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and a drizzle of red wine vinegar to the salad for a Greek twist.
Whole Grilled Bass:- Herbed Butter: Top grilled bass with a compound herb butter made from parsley, dill, garlic, and lemon zest.- Lemon-Garlic Asparagus: Grill asparagus spears with lemon slices and garlic for a complementary side.- Tapenade Crostini: Serve with crostini spread with olive tapenade for a salty, savory contrast.
- Combine the uncategorized instruction of cutting cherry tomatoes quickly by following the CHOW Tips video series linked here: https://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/how-to-slice-cherry-tomatoes-fast.
- For an extra sweet touch, consider recombining the salad with a few chopped candied walnuts before serving.
- If you're interested in nutrition information, look no further! This salad boasts a balance of fibrous green beans, antioxidant-rich cherry tomatoes, and heart-healthy fats from the olive oil dressing.
- Pair this salad with a sweet and tangy balsamic reduction to offset the savory flavors, or drizzle some honey mustard vinaigrette for a unique twist.
