Zesty Green Bean & Tomato Salad
This vibrant Zesty Green Bean & Tomato Salad is a refreshing side dish that perfectly complements grilled meats, particularly the accompanying Recipe #15877. Bursting with flavors from fresh ingredients, this salad features crisp green beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a delightful lemon-garlic vinaigrette. Perfect for lunch or as a light snack, this dish is not only delicious but also nutritious. Serve it alongside garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
4
Servings
100
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
green beans
1 lb (fresh or canned (trimmed if fresh))
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
olive oil
2 teaspoons (extra virgin recommended)
garlic clove
1 (smashed)
dried basil
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
salt
1/4 teaspoon
pepper
to taste
cherry tomatoes
2 cups (cut in half)
pine nuts
2 tablespoons (lightly toasted)
Instructions
1
If using fresh green beans, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for 5 minutes or until tender-crisp. If using canned green beans, simply drain and rinse them under cold water. After cooking, immediately transfer the fresh beans to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color and crunch.
2
In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, olive oil, smashed garlic clove, dried basil, salt, and a generous amount of pepper to taste. This will be your zesty vinaigrette.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked green beans and halved cherry tomatoes. Pour the lemon-garlic vinaigrette over the vegetables and toss gently to coat evenly.
4
Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with toasted pine nuts for added crunch and flavor.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
12.5g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
2.5g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of the Zesty Green Bean & Tomato Salad?
The salad features a refreshing and vibrant flavor profile driven by a lemon-garlic vinaigrette, fresh green beans, and juicy cherry tomatoes.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
Can I use canned green beans for this recipe?
Yes, you can use canned green beans. Simply drain and rinse them under cold water instead of boiling them.
How long should fresh green beans be boiled?
Fresh green beans should be boiled in salted water for approximately 5 minutes or until they are tender-crisp.
What is the purpose of the ice bath in the instructions?
The ice bath is used to immediately stop the cooking process, which helps preserve the vibrant green color and the crunch of the beans.
What ingredients are used in the zesty vinaigrette?
The vinaigrette is made by whisking together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, a smashed garlic clove, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
How many calories are in one serving of this salad?
There are approximately 100 calories per serving.
Is this salad suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Yes, this Zesty Green Bean & Tomato Salad is vegetarian.
What kind of tomatoes are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, cut in half.
Does this recipe include any nuts?
Yes, it includes 2 tablespoons of lightly toasted pine nuts, which are added just before serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 5g of fat.
How much protein is provided in each serving?
Each serving provides 2.5g of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 12.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber is in a serving of this salad?
Each serving contains 2.5g of fiber.
Is there a lot of sugar in this recipe?
No, the recipe is low in sugar, with only 1g per serving.
What kind of olive oil should I use?
Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for the best flavor in the vinaigrette.
How do I prepare the garlic for the dressing?
The garlic clove should be smashed before being whisked into the small bowl with the other dressing ingredients.
Can this salad be served as a main meal?
While it is primarily a side dish, it can be served as a light snack or a light lunch, especially when paired with garlic bread.
What should I serve this salad with?
It perfectly complements grilled meats or can be served alongside garlic bread for a satisfying meal.
When should the pine nuts be added?
To maintain their crunch, sprinkle the toasted pine nuts over the salad just before serving.
How much lemon juice is needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What is the total weight of green beans required?
You will need 1 lb of green beans.
How much dried basil is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil.
Is this recipe considered quick and easy?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick and easy recipe with simple preparation steps.
Do I need to peel the tomatoes?
No, the cherry tomatoes should simply be cut in half.
Can I adjust the amount of pepper?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding pepper to taste.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 9 ingredients: green beans, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dried basil, salt, pepper, cherry tomatoes, and pine nuts.
Is this salad considered nutritious?
Yes, it is described as a nutritious side dish full of fresh vegetables.
How do I ensure the dressing coats the vegetables evenly?
Pour the vinaigrette over the combined green beans and tomatoes in a large mixing bowl and toss gently.
Does this recipe contain any cholesterol?
The provided nutritional data shows no recorded cholesterol.