We've been eating a lot of beans lately. A lot of beans! In the off-season I crave fresh beans and look forward to the warm summer nights when fresh beans are on the menu often, but sometimes in the thick-of-it I look at those beans and think steamed beans with butter again!?
This recipe is an easy and delightful way to bring some life to your weekly allotment of beans. The zingy and flavourful vinaigrette will wake up your taste buds in ways you didn't even know was possible with such few ingredients.
Green Beans With Basil Vinaigrette
1 pound green beans, stem end trimmed off
1 small clove garlic, peeled
½ tsp salt
½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
Steam or boil your beans for 2-4 minutes (depending on how crisp you like them). Set aside.
Meanwhile, chop garlic. Sprinkle with salt and continue to chop and mash with the side of a chefs knife, or grind up in a mortar and pestle until it forms a paste.
Puree basil, olive oil, vinegar, Dijon and the garlic salt mixture in a blender or mini-prep food processor until smooth.
Pour dressing over the green beans and enjoy!