Ottolenghi's Green Bean Salad

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Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad is a refreshing and unique combination of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors. The beans are perfectly crisp, while the golden garlic, capers, cumin, and coriander add a rich depth of taste. The fresh herbs, including tarragon and chervil, offer a fragrant and lively note that enhances the dish’s overall freshness.

This salad pairs wonderfully with a wide variety of mains or can stand on its own as a light meal. Whether served warm or cold, it’s a versatile dish that works beautifully for casual meals or more elegant dinners. The vibrant colors and textures make it as visually appealing as it is delicious, ensuring it will be a hit at any gathering.

Full Recipe:

500g/1 lb green beans, trimmed
4 green onions, finely sliced
2 cups chervil leaves (or coriander and dill)
1/2 cup roughly chopped tarragon leaves
2 tsp lemon zest
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

For the sautéed capsicum:

2 red bell peppers, cut into strips
2 tsp olive oil
Pinch of salt and pepper

For the dressing:

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, finely sliced
3 tbsp capers, rinsed and dried
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp coriander seeds

Directions:

Cook the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans, boil for 3 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool them. Pat dry.
Blister the capsicum: Heat olive oil in a heavy-based skillet over high heat. Add the bell pepper strips with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and slightly charred. Set aside.
Make the dressing: Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic slices and cook for 20 seconds. Add the capers and cook for 15 seconds. Stir in the cumin and coriander seeds and cook until the garlic is golden.
Combine and toss: Pour the hot dressing over the beans and capsicum. Add the green onions, chervil, tarragon, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Toss well and serve.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes

Kcal: 230 kcal | Servings: 4-6 servings

Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad: A Fresh, Flavorful Twist on a Classic

Yotam Ottolenghi is a world-renowned chef known for his vibrant, eclectic, and deeply flavorful dishes, particularly those centered around vegetables. His approach to cooking, especially with his Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences, has inspired countless home cooks and chefs alike. Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad is a shining example of how simple ingredients can be transformed into something extraordinary.

A Fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Flavors

Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad brings together ingredients from two rich culinary traditions: the earthy, aromatic spices of the Middle East and the fresh, herbaceous flavors of the Mediterranean. What sets this salad apart is its unique blend of flavors and textures, achieved through the use of crispy garlic, fragrant herbs like tarragon and chervil, and bold spices like cumin and coriander.

Middle Eastern Inspiration: Cumin and coriander seeds are staples of Middle Eastern cuisine, adding warmth and depth to the salad. These spices, lightly toasted in olive oil, release their essential oils, infusing the dish with a rich, earthy flavor that complements the fresh vegetables.
Mediterranean Herbs: The use of chervil and tarragon adds a distinctly Mediterranean touch. These herbs bring a light, anise-like flavor that lifts the entire dish, making it both refreshing and complex. In the absence of chervil and tarragon, a combination of parsley, dill, and coriander can be used for a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile.

A Salad with Universal Appeal

One of the remarkable things about Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad is its universal appeal. While it draws heavily from Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions, the dish’s fresh, vibrant flavors make it suitable for a wide variety of meals and occasions. It can be served warm or cold, making it adaptable to different seasons and meal types.

Warm or Cold: During colder months, serve this salad warm alongside roast meats or grilled vegetables. In the summer, it makes a perfect cold dish that can be paired with lighter proteins like fish or chicken, or enjoyed on its own as a refreshing meal.
For Any Occasion: This salad is equally at home at a casual family lunch or an elegant dinner party. Its bright colors and bold flavors make it a visually striking dish that can stand alone as a centerpiece or complement other dishes on the table.

Why Green Beans?

Green beans are often overlooked in favor of more glamorous vegetables, but Ottolenghi highlights their potential in this dish. When cooked just right—blanched for a few minutes and then cooled—green beans retain a delightful crispness while absorbing the flavors of the dressing and herbs.

Nutritional Benefits: Green beans are a low-calorie, nutrient-dense vegetable. They are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and provide a good amount of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion. They are also a source of folate and antioxidants, making this salad as nutritious as it is delicious.
Versatility: Green beans are available year-round, making them a versatile vegetable for both summer and winter dishes. While this salad traditionally uses a mix of green and yellow beans for color, it can be made entirely with green beans, depending on availability.

Texture and Flavor: The Role of Garlic and Capers

One of the standout features of this salad is the crispy garlic and capers that add a delightful contrast of textures. Rather than simply incorporating raw garlic into the dressing, Ottolenghi calls for thin slices of garlic to be fried until golden and crispy. This creates little nuggets of garlic that add both flavor and crunch throughout the salad.

Crispy Garlic: Fried garlic provides a burst of umami that contrasts beautifully with the fresh, vibrant herbs. It also releases its flavor into the olive oil, creating a dressing that is both aromatic and deeply flavorful.
Capers: Capers, with their briny tang, bring a salty, acidic bite to the dish, balancing the richness of the olive oil and the earthy flavors of the spices. They add another layer of complexity to the salad, making each bite interesting and dynamic.

Preparing Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad: A Few Tips

While the ingredients for Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad are simple, the key to making this dish shine lies in the technique. Here are some tips to ensure you get the best results:

Blanching the Beans: Green beans should be cooked briefly in salted boiling water, just until they are tender but still crisp. Overcooking them will result in limp, lifeless beans, so be sure to keep an eye on the time. After blanching, rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and maintain their bright green color.
Frying the Garlic: The garlic should be fried until it is golden and crispy, but not burnt. Watch it closely, as garlic can go from golden to bitter very quickly. The goal is to create a crispy texture that adds a delightful crunch to the salad.
Char the Capsicum: Sautéing the red bell peppers in a hot skillet until they develop charred spots enhances their sweetness and adds depth to the salad. Ottolenghi suggests oven-baking them, but a quick sauté in a cast-iron skillet can produce even better results.

Pairing Suggestions: What to Serve with Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad

Thanks to its bold flavors and versatile ingredients, this green bean salad can be paired with a wide variety of dishes. Whether you’re planning a Middle Eastern-inspired feast or a simple weeknight dinner, this salad is a great addition.

Middle Eastern Pairings: Serve it alongside dishes like chicken or lamb shawarma, kofta, or falafel for a true Middle Eastern feast. The earthy spices in the salad will complement the rich, meaty flavors of these traditional dishes.
Mediterranean Pairings: Pair it with grilled fish, roasted chicken, or even a simple pasta dish for a Mediterranean-inspired meal. The fresh herbs and bright flavors will lighten up richer dishes and add a pop of color to your plate.
As a Light Meal: For a lighter, vegetarian-friendly option, serve this salad with a selection of other Mediterranean-inspired salads, like a roasted pumpkin salad or a marinated chickpea salad. Add some crusty bread or flatbread on the side for a complete meal.

Customizing the Salad to Suit Your Taste

One of the great things about Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad is how easy it is to customize. While the recipe calls for specific herbs and spices, you can easily adapt it to suit your taste or the ingredients you have on hand.

Herb Substitutions: If you can’t find chervil or tarragon, try using parsley, coriander, and dill. These herbs will give the salad a different but equally delicious flavor profile.
Add Protein: For a heartier meal, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to the salad. The protein will soak up the dressing, making the dish even more satisfying.
Experiment with Spices: While cumin and coriander are the stars of this dish, feel free to experiment with other spices. Try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or sumac for a different flavor twist.

Conclusion: A Salad Worth Savoring

Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad is a testament to the power of simple ingredients, brought together in unexpected and exciting ways. With its combination of crisp green beans, fragrant herbs, and a rich, spicy dressing, this salad is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Whether you’re serving it as a side dish at a dinner party or enjoying it as a light lunch, this salad offers a burst of flavor and freshness that will leave your guests asking for seconds. And with its versatility and adaptability, you can make it your own by experimenting with different herbs, spices, and vegetables. This is a salad that truly stands the test of time, offering a modern twist on classic ingredients that never fail to impress.