Summer Balsamic Green Bean Salad with Herb-Infused Croutons
This vibrant summer salad is a delightful combination of crisp green beans and sweet red onions, all beautifully dressed in a rich balsamic vinaigrette. The addition of homemade multigrain croutons brings a satisfying crunch that makes this dish perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a light meal. Prepared in a convenient zip-lock bag, it is easy to transport and ensures minimal cleanup, allowing you to enjoy your time outside. With fresh, quality ingredients, this salad captures the essence of summer and is sure to impress your family and friends!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh green beans
1 lb (Trimmed and cleaned)
Red onion
1 (Halved and sliced thin)
Garlic clove
1 (Minced)
Balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup (Good quality)
Olive oil
3 tablespoons (Good quality plus extra for drizzling)
Salt
to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
to taste
Multigrain French bread
1 loaf (Rustically cut into 1-inch pieces)
Garlic powder
to taste
Dried Italian herb seasoning
to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the green beans in boiling salted water until they are just tender-crisp, about 2-4 minutes. Drain the green beans and immediately plunge them into an ice bath (or run cold water over them) to halt the cooking process. Once cooled to room temperature, drain thoroughly.
2
In a large zip-lock bag, combine the cooled green beans, thinly sliced red onion, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a generous pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Seal the bag and gently massage to combine all the ingredients. Refrigerate the bag until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld.
3
For the multigrain croutons, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Spray a large cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
4
Spread the rustic cubes of multigrain French bread evenly across the sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic powder, dried Italian herbs, and salt. Toss the bread gently to ensure even coating.
5
Bake the croutons for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are lightly browned and crispy, yet still slightly chewy.
6
To serve, arrange the green bean and red onion mixture on a large serving plate. Top it off with the freshly baked herb-infused croutons and garnish with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your refreshing and flavorful summer salad!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Summer Balsamic Green Bean Salad?
It is a vibrant summer salad combining crisp green beans, red onions, and a rich balsamic vinaigrette, topped with homemade herb-infused multigrain croutons.
What are the main ingredients for this salad?
The main ingredients include fresh green beans, red onion, garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and multigrain French bread.
How long should I cook the green beans?
Cook the green beans in boiling salted water for 2-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
Why do I need an ice bath for the green beans?
Plunging the beans into an ice bath immediately stops the cooking process, preserving their crisp texture and bright green color.
How should the red onion be prepared?
The red onion should be halved and then sliced thinly before being added to the salad.
What type of vinegar is used in the dressing?
The recipe calls for a good quality balsamic vinegar.
How is the salad mixture prepared?
The cooled green beans, onion, garlic, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper are combined and massaged inside a large zip-lock bag.
What kind of bread is best for the croutons?
The recipe recommends using a loaf of multigrain French bread for the croutons.
How should I cut the bread for the croutons?
The bread should be rustically cut into 1-inch pieces.
What is the oven temperature for baking croutons?
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) to bake the croutons.
How long do the croutons need to bake?
Bake them for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking time.
What is the final texture of the croutons?
They should be lightly browned and crispy on the outside while remaining slightly chewy.
What seasonings are used on the croutons?
The croutons are seasoned with garlic powder, dried Italian herb seasoning, and salt.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this salad is a vegetarian-friendly dish.
How is the salad served?
Arrange the bean and onion mixture on a plate, top with croutons, and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Can I prepare this salad in advance?
Yes, you can refrigerate the bean mixture in the zip-lock bag until you are ready to serve to let the flavors meld.
What makes this recipe easy for cleanup?
Using a zip-lock bag to mix and marinate the salad ingredients ensures minimal cleanup.
Is this recipe good for picnics?
Yes, the convenient zip-lock bag preparation makes it easy to transport for picnics or barbecues.
How much green beans do I need?
The recipe requires 1 lb of fresh green beans.
What kind of oil should be used?
A good quality olive oil is recommended for both the dressing and for coating the croutons.
What is the garnish for this dish?
The dish is finished with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
How many garlic cloves are in the salad?
One minced garlic clove is used in the balsamic vinaigrette mixture.
Should the green beans be cooled before mixing?
Yes, the green beans should be cooled to room temperature and drained thoroughly before adding to the bag.
How do I ensure the croutons are evenly coated?
Drizzle the bread with olive oil and seasonings on a cookie sheet and toss them gently before baking.
Can I use dried herbs?
Yes, the croutons specifically use dried Italian herb seasoning.
Do I need to grease the baking sheet?
Yes, spray the cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray before adding the bread cubes.
What size should the garlic be?
The garlic clove should be minced finely to distribute the flavor throughout the salad.
Is the Parmesan cheese fresh or canned?
The recipe calls for freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
Can I add pepper to the salad?
Yes, freshly ground black pepper is added to the salad mixture to taste.
What is the benefit of massaging the bag?
Gently massaging the sealed bag ensures that the balsamic dressing evenly coats all the beans and onions.