Thanksgiving Recipes - Warm Green Bean Salad with Toasted Walnuts

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Nov 18th 2009 @ 6:45PM

Lose a starchy Thanksgiving side dish and replace it with a colorful, walnut-hinted green bean salad.

Get this green bean recipe along with many others after the jump.

Warm Green Bean Salad with Toasted Walnuts
Provided by EatingWell

1 shallot, minced
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons walnut oil
12 ounces haricots verts (see Ingredient Note) or green beans, stem ends trimmed
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
6 cups mâche (see Ingredient Note) or Boston lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces

To prepare dressing: Whisk shallot, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil.

Cook haricots verts (or green beans), uncovered, in a large pot of boiling water until crisp-tender; 3 to 4 minutes for haricots verts, 4 to 6 minutes for green beans. Drain, refresh under cold water and pat dry.

Toast walnuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl to cool.

To prepare salad: Combine the beans, tomatoes and parsley in a large bowl. Toss with the dressing. Divide mâche (or lettuce) among 6 salad plates. Spoon bean mixture onto the greens, sprinkle with the walnuts and serve.

Ingredient Notes: Haricots verts is simply French for "green beans." However, the term is often used for the very slender beans, also called French beans, found in produce markets.

Mâche ("mosh"), also known as lamb's lettuce or corn salad, is a tangy green that resembles watercress. Popular in Europe, it is enjoyed in the first salads of spring. Look for it in specialty stores and farmers' markets.

Find more green bean casserole recipes and Thanksgiving sides ideas at KitchenDaily.

Filed Under: Holidays, Recipes
Tags: fall, green bean recipes, thanksgiving, thanksgiving recipes, vegetables