Healthy Recipe: Green Bean Salad with Cilantro Sauce
Why this Recipe Works – To dress up a simple green bean salad, we came up with a fresh take on pesto by swapping the traditional basil for bright, grassy cilantro. A single scallion brightened the green color of the sauce, and walnuts and garlic cloves, briefly toasted in a skillet, added nutty depth.
The fruity flavor of extra-virgin olive oil complemented the other flavors in the dressing nicely. Finally, a touch of lemon juice rounded out the flavors and helped to loosen the sauce to just the right consistency.
We blanched and shocked the beans to set their vibrant green color and ensure that they were evenly cooked. Don’t worry about drying the beans before tossing them with the sauce; any water that clings to the beans will help to thin out the sauce.
This serves 6 to 8 people.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED
1/4 cup walnuts
2 garlic cloves, unpeeled
21/2 cups fresh cilantro leaves and stems, tough stem ends trimmed (about 2 bunches)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1 scallion, sliced thin Salt and pepper
2 pounds green beans, trimmed
HOW TO MAKE IT
Cook walnuts and garlic in an 8-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until toasted and fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes; transfer to bowl. Let garlic cool slightly, then peel and roughly chop.
Process walnuts, garlic, cilantro, oil, lemon juice, scallion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in food processor until smooth, about 1 minute, scraping down sides of bowl as needed; transfer to large bowl.
Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot over high heat. Meanwhile, fill large bowl halfway with ice and water. Add 1 tablespoon salt and green beans to boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
Drain green beans, transfer to ice water, and let sit until chilled, about 2 minutes. Transfer green beans to bowl with cilantro sauce and gently toss until coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve. (Salad can be refrigerated for up to 4 hours.)
A vibrant cilantro-based pesto is a fresh way to dress up blanched green beans.