This recipe comes from The Domestic Geek cookbook, by Sara Lynn Cauchon. (I received a complimentary copy.) If you’re familiar with her YouTube channel, she shares plenty of fuss-free recipes for a variety of diets. It’s filled with beautiful photos, and fun recipes like Chocolate Chia Breakfast Cookies and Falafel Burgers, along with some classics like Easy-Peasy Risotto and One-Pot Chicken Alfredo.
This Green Bean Salad caught my eye because I never know exactly how to serve green beans as a salad. They’re always a hit in my Vegan Green Bean Casserole around the holidays, but I don’t use them often enough in the summer– which is their peak season!
How to Cook the Green Beans
To make this green bean salad, you’ll want to quickly cook the beans in boiling water to help them soften up. You get to control how crunchy you want the beans to be. For tender beans with a little crunch to them, you’ll boil them for 4 minutes, until they are bright green.
For softer beans with less of a bite, you can boil them even longer and test them with a fork until they are done to your liking. (I prefer them a little more tender, with 8 to 10 minutes of cooking.)
Prepare the Red Wine Vinaigrette
While the green beans are boiling, you can quickly stir together the dressing. Olive oil, red wine vinegar, shallot, and a few spices are all you need!
When the green beans are done cooking, transfer them to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. Drain, and add them to the dressing, along with sliced tomatoes and creamy feta cheese. They combination is delicious!
Recipe Notes:
You can use any other oil or vinegar you have on hand for this recipe. It’s very adaptable! Feel free to change the toppings, too. Toasted almonds or maple glazed walnuts might be nice, too. For a vegan green bean salad, simply leave off the cheese. (You could stir in a spoonful of tahini to the dressing to make it creamier, as an alternative!)
If you give this recipe a try, please let me know in the comments below! If you try something different, tell us how it worked out! We can all benefit from YOUR experience. – Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite way to prepare green beans?
