Imagine a vibrant, refreshing salad that transports you straight to the sun-drenched countryside of France with just one bite. This Lemony French Green Bean Asparagus Salad is not just a side dish—it's a culinary journey that combines crisp, tender vegetables with a bright, citrusy dressing that will make your taste buds dance. Perfect for summer gatherings, elegant dinner parties, or a quick, nutritious lunch, this recipe promises to elevate your cooking game and impress even the most discerning food lovers.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water to enhance the vegetable flavor.
- Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with cold water and ice cubes. This will be used to stop the cooking process and preserve the vegetables' vibrant color and crisp texture.
- Carefully add trimmed green beans to the boiling water. Blanch for approximately 3-4 minutes until they are bright green and tender-crisp.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the green beans from the boiling water to the prepared ice bath. This will immediately halt the cooking process and maintain their crisp texture.
- Repeat the same blanching process with the asparagus, cooking for 2-3 minutes until they are just tender and maintain a bright green color.
- Drain both the green beans and asparagus thoroughly and pat dry with clean kitchen towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to create a bright, zesty dressing.
- Arrange the blanched green beans and asparagus on a serving platter, ensuring an even distribution.
- Drizzle the lemon-olive oil dressing over the vegetables, making sure they are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the salad for added color, freshness, and herbaceous flavor.
- Serve immediately at room temperature or slightly chilled, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Tips
- Blanching Perfection: The key to this salad is achieving the perfect vegetable texture. Be precise with your blanching times—3-4 minutes for green beans and 2-3 minutes for asparagus to maintain their vibrant color and crisp-tender bite.
- Ice Bath Technique: Always have a prepared ice bath ready. This stops the cooking process instantly and helps preserve the vegetables' bright green color and nutritional value.
- Dressing Mastery: Whisk your lemon-olive oil dressing thoroughly to ensure a perfect emulsion. Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest, most authentic flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: For the best taste and texture, serve this salad immediately or slightly chilled. The flavors will continue to meld, creating an even more delicious experience.
- Herb Freshness: Chop the parsley just before serving to maintain its vibrant color and maximum flavor impact.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 70kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 4g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
