French String Bean Salad Food

FRENCH STRING BEANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Blanch the string beans in a large pot of boiling salted water for just 4 minutes. Drain immediately and immerse in a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. When they are cool, drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl toss the onion and bell peppers together with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes, tossing with a spatula from time to time to be sure the vegetables roast evenly.
• Just before serving, reheat the string beans in a large saute pan drizzled with a little olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and arrange on a platter. Spoon the roasted vegetables over the string beans and serve hot or at room temperature.

FRENCH STRING BEANS/ GREEN BEANS, TOMATO & BASIL SALAD

Steps:

• Place approximately 1/2 inch of water in a medium-sized stainless steel saucepan and add about 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Bring to a boil.
• Add the string beans.
• Cover and bring to a strong boil for 5 minutes.
• They just turn crunchy, cooked and a wonderful green (not brownish!).
• Using a skimmer, lift the beans from the pan and spread them on a large plate to cook off.
• Toss the beans with 2 tbsp white wine vinegar and oil.
• Season and set aside.
• Peel the tomatoes if desired but it is not necessary.
• Slice crosswise very thinly.
• Place the seasoned string beans in the center of a large platter and arrange the slices of tomatoes around.
• Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
• Tomatoes need a lot of salt.
• Then sprinkle with vinegar and oil.
• Wash the fresh basil leaves and separate the leaves.
• Pile the largest leaves together.
• Roll the leaves into a tight bundle and slice them into very thin, long strips.
• Cut the onion into very thin slices and separate the slices into individual rings.
• With the beans at the center of the plate, sprinkle the onions on top, surround the green beans with tomato slices, and then arrange the sliced basil leaves around it forming a border.

FRENCH STRING BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the beans and cook for 1 minute only. Time it carefully! You want the beans to be crisp-tender. Drain the beans and put them in the ice water until completely cool. Drain the beans again, dry on paper towels, and place them in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. While whisking, slowly add the olive oil to make an emulsion. Pour enough dressing over the beans to moisten them well, reserving the rest for another use. Toss with the dill, season to taste, and serve at room temperature. (If the beans aren't served immediately, refrigerate them and add a little extra vinaigrette and a sprinkle of salt before serving.)

FRENCH POTATO AND GREEN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes, bay leaf and thyme branch. Cook at a brisk simmer until the potatoes are firm but easily pierced with a skewer, about 30 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.
• While the potatoes are cooking, make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, stir together the garlic, anchovy, capers, mustard and vinegar. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Whisk again before using if the dressing separates.
• When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, remove the skins with a paring knife and carefully cut into pieces 1/4-inch thick, or slightly thicker. Put the slices in a low bowl, season lightly with salt and pepper and add half the vinaigrette. Using your hands, gently coat the potatoes with the vinaigrette, taking care not to break them. Cover and set aside at room temperature.
• Top and tail the beans. Simmer in salted water until firm-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes, then cool under running water and pat dry.
• To cook the eggs, bring a medium pot of water to a rapid boil. Add the eggs and cook for 8 minutes for a somewhat soft-centered yolk or 9 minutes for a firmer yolk. Cool the eggs immediately in ice water, then crack and peel. Cut each egg in half and season lightly with salt and pepper.
• When ready to serve, season the beans with salt and pepper, then dress with the remaining vinaigrette. (Reserve 2 tablespoons vinaigrette for the arugula, if using.)
• Combine the dressed beans and potatoes, using hands to toss, and pile onto a platter. Sprinkle with chives, parsley and basil and arrange the eggs over the top. Garnish with anchovy fillets, if desired. Dress the arugula and send it to the table separately.

FETA AND SLOW-ROASTED TOMATO SALAD WITH FRENCH GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C).
• Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, and arrange them, cut sides up, on a baking sheet. Sprinkle them with salt, pepper, and the bay leaf; drizzle with 1/4 cup olive oil.
• Bake the tomatoes until they are shriveled and dry on the outside, but a little moist inside, about 2 hours.
• Toast the pine nuts in a small pan over medium-low heat, gently shaking the pan as they toast, until beginning brown and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes; set aside.
• Bring a saucepan of water to a boil; cook the green beans in the boiling water until bright green but still crisp, about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse immediately with cold water.
• Combine the roasted tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, green beans, arugula, and basil in a salad bowl. Whisk together the red wine vinegar, mustard, garlic, honey, and 1/4 cup olive oil in a bowl, and pour the dressing over the salad. Stir in the crumbled feta cheese just before serving.

SALAD OF FRENCH-STYLE GREEN BEANS AND GOAT'S CHEESE

Steps:

• Juice the lemon. Cut the beans diagonally into broad diamond shapes (any shape will do, but this just looks pretty). Blanch them in boiling water in circa 2 mins and immediately rinse in cold water. Cut the olives into chunks. Mix beans, olives, oil, and lemon juice, and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Crumble the cheese over the salad.

COLD GREEN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Place beans in a serving dish. Toss with onions and salad dressing. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour.

FRENCH BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a serving bowl, combine the beans, onion and bacon; stir in dressing. Refrigerate until serving.