Summer Harvest Salad with French Beans, Red Potatoes, and Cucumbers
This vibrant Summer Harvest Salad is a delightful combination of tender French haricots verts, small red potatoes, and fresh cucumbers, all tossed together with a zesty dill dressing. Inspired by classics from the French cuisine, this dish celebrates the bounty of summer vegetables and is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a light side dish. The use of delicate French green beans ensures a texture that complements the hearty potatoes and crisp cucumbers. Let this refreshing salad serve as a showcase for seasonal produce, making every bite a testament to simple yet flavorful cooking.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
small red potatoes
1.5 lbs (scrubbed and halved if larger than walnut size)
French haricots verts
1 lb (washed and trimmed)
small English cucumber
0.5 lb (washed and sliced thinly (or peeled and seeded if thicker-skinned))
fresh dill
0.5 cup (coarsely chopped)
red onion
0.25 cup (finely chopped)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (n/a)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
salt
0.5 teaspoon (n/a)
sugar
0.5 teaspoon (n/a)
Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon (n/a)
pepper
to taste (n/a)
Instructions
1
Begin by scrubbing the red potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt, and then trim away any rough spots. For any potatoes larger than a walnut, cut them in half to ensure even cooking.
2
Lightly salt the potatoes and steam them in a pot for about 15 minutes or until tender - they should easily pierce with a fork. Once cooked, remove them from the steamer and allow them to cool.
3
While the potatoes are cooling, wash the haricots verts and trim the ends. Steam the green beans for 5-7 minutes until they are tender yet crisp. After steaming, remove them and let them cool as well.
4
Prepare the cucumber: if using slender, thin-skinned varieties, simply wash, trim the ends, and slice them into 1/8 inch rounds. For thicker-skinned cucumbers, peel, halve them lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds before slicing.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled potatoes, steamed green beans, sliced cucumbers, coarsely chopped dill, and finely chopped red onion.
6
In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, sugar, Dijon mustard, and a dash of black pepper to create the dressing.
7
Pour the dressing over the vegetables in the large bowl and toss gently but thoroughly, ensuring the potatoes remain intact.
8
Cover the salad and let it chill in the refrigerator for about an hour to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, taste and adjust the seasonings by adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Summer Harvest Salad with French Beans, Red Potatoes, and Cucumbers?
This is a vibrant salad combining tender French haricots verts, small red potatoes, and fresh cucumbers tossed in a zesty dill dressing.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 8 servings.
What are French haricots verts?
They are delicate, slender French green beans that offer a texture that complements hearty potatoes and crisp cucumbers.
How long should I steam the red potatoes?
The potatoes should be steamed for about 15 minutes or until they are tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork.
How long do the French haricots verts need to steam?
Steam them for 5 to 7 minutes until they are tender yet crisp.
What type of dressing is used for this salad?
The salad uses a zesty dill dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, salt, sugar, Dijon mustard, and black pepper.
How should I prepare the red potatoes?
Scrub them thoroughly to remove dirt, trim rough spots, and cut any potatoes larger than a walnut in half.
Do I need to peel the cucumbers?
If using thin-skinned varieties, simply wash and slice. For thicker-skinned cucumbers, you should peel, halve, and scoop out the seeds.
What ingredients are needed for the dressing?
You will need olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, sugar, Dijon mustard, and black pepper.
Is this salad served hot or cold?
This salad is best served chilled after resting in the refrigerator for about an hour.
Can I use regular green beans instead of haricots verts?
Yes, but haricots verts are preferred for their delicate texture which matches the other ingredients.
How much fresh dill is required?
The recipe calls for 0.5 cup of coarsely chopped fresh dill.
Is there onion in this recipe?
Yes, it includes 0.25 cup of finely chopped red onion.
How should the vegetables be combined?
Combine the cooled potatoes, steamed beans, sliced cucumbers, chopped dill, and red onion in a large mixing bowl.
How do I ensure the potatoes don't break when tossing?
Toss the salad gently but thoroughly after pouring the dressing over the vegetables.
Does this recipe contain sugar?
Yes, the dressing includes 0.5 teaspoon of sugar to balance the flavors.
What kind of mustard should be used?
The recipe specifies using 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard.
Is this salad suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian dish focused on seasonal summer vegetables.
What is the recommended size for cucumber slices?
The cucumbers should be sliced into approximately 1/8 inch rounds.
Can I adjust the seasonings before serving?
Yes, after chilling, you should taste the salad and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
How much potato is needed?
The recipe requires 1.5 lbs of small red potatoes.
How much haricots verts are needed?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of French haricots verts.
Should the potatoes be salted while cooking?
Yes, you should lightly salt the potatoes before steaming them.
What is the weight of the cucumber used?
The recipe uses a small English cucumber weighing about 0.5 lb.
How much olive oil is in the dressing?
The dressing uses 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Why does the salad need to chill for an hour?
Chilling allows the flavors of the vegetables and the dill dressing to meld together properly.
What occasions is this salad good for?
It is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a light side dish for summer meals.
Should the vegetables be cooled before mixing?
Yes, both the potatoes and the green beans should be allowed to cool after steaming before assembly.
Is the lemon juice fresh or bottled?
The recipe recommends using 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What is the primary texture profile of the salad?
It is a mix of tender potatoes, crisp-tender beans, and crunchy cucumbers.