Get ready to transform your ordinary side dish into a vibrant culinary masterpiece! This Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Scallion Dressing is not just a recipe – it's a refreshing explosion of colors, textures, and flavors that will elevate your summer dining experience. Imagine crisp green beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a zesty scallion dressing that will have your guests begging for seconds. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or looking for a quick and healthy lunch, this recipe is about to become your new go-to favorite.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Green beans
- Cherry tomatoes
- Scallions
- Olive oil
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the green beans. Rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities. Trim the ends of the green beans by cutting off about half an inch from each end.
- In a medium-sized pot, bring water to a boil. Once boiling, add a pinch of salt to the water. Carefully add the trimmed green beans to the boiling water and cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until they are bright green and tender-crisp.
- While the green beans are cooking, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with cold water and ice. Once the green beans are cooked, immediately transfer them to the ice bath using a slotted spoon. This will stop the cooking process and help retain their vibrant color.
- After the green beans have cooled for a few minutes, drain them in a colander and set aside to dry.
- Next, wash the cherry tomatoes under cold water. Cut each cherry tomato in half and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Chop the scallions, using both the green and white parts, and add them to the mixing bowl with the cherry tomatoes.
- In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of vinegar (such as balsamic or red wine vinegar), and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Once the dressing is ready, add the cooled green beans to the mixing bowl with the tomatoes and scallions. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until well combined.
- Let the salad sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve the salad at room temperature or chilled, garnished with additional scallions if desired.
Tips
- Blanching Perfection: The key to amazing green beans is the blanching technique. Cook them just until they're bright green and tender-crisp – overcooking will make them mushy and dull.
- Ice Bath Magic: Always have an ice bath ready when blanching vegetables. This stops the cooking process instantly and helps maintain that beautiful vibrant green color.
- Dressing Hack: For maximum flavor, let the salad sit for 5-10 minutes after dressing. This allows the ingredients to marinate and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Freshness Matters: Use the freshest green beans and cherry tomatoes you can find. Farm-fresh or farmers market produce will make a huge difference in taste.
- Customize Your Dressing: Feel free to experiment with different vinegars like apple cider or white wine vinegar to change up the flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 75kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
