Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad Recipe: A Zesty Garden Delight

Yotam ottolenghi’s vibrant green bean salad bursts with Mediterranean flavors that dance across your plate.

Fresh ingredients tell a story of simplicity and elegance.

Crisp beans mingle with unexpected spices, creating a symphony of textures.

Seasonal produce becomes a canvas for culinary creativity.

Each bite reveals layers of complexity that surprise and delight.

Summer’s bounty transforms into a memorable dish that beckons you to savor every forkful.

Prepare to experience a salad that transcends ordinary expectations.

What Makes Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad Special

• Boost Flavor Complexity: This recipe transforms simple green beans into a gourmet side dish with layers of taste from blistered peppers, aromatic spices, and fresh herbs.
• Master Culinary Techniques: Learn professional cooking methods like blanching vegetables, blistering peppers, and creating a hot dressing that elevates basic ingredients.
• Quick Impressive Preparation: Deliver a restaurant-quality salad in minimal steps, perfect for dinner parties, potlucks, or impressing family with minimal cooking skills.
• Nutrition-Packed Delight: Packed with green vegetables, herbs, and minimal oil, this dish offers a healthy, vibrant side that doesn't compromise on taste or visual appeal.

All the Fresh Ingredients in Ottolenghi’s Salad

• Green Beans: Fresh and crisp green beans that serve as the base of the salad.
• Bell Pepper: Colorful bell pepper strips that add sweetness and a charred flavor to the dish.
• Green Onions: Adds a mild onion flavor and fresh crunch to the salad.

• Chervil, Tarragon: Delicate herbs that provide a subtle, aromatic touch to the salad.
• Garlic: Thin slices that infuse the dressing with a rich, deep flavor.
• Lemon Zest: Bright citrus notes that enhance the overall freshness of the dish.

• Capers: Briny and tangy ingredient that adds complexity to the dressing.
• Cumin Seeds, Coriander Seeds: Whole spices that bring warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and heighten the taste of the salad.

• Olive Oil: Used for cooking the bell peppers and creating the flavorful dressing.

Easy Steps to Green Bean Salad Perfection

Step 1: Boil Green Beans

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring the water to a rolling boil.

Carefully drop the green beans into the bubbling water and cook them for exactly 3 minutes. Once done, quickly drain the beans and give them a refreshing cold water rinse.

Gently pat the beans dry with a clean kitchen towel.

Step 2: Char Bell Peppers

Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over high flame.

Toss in bell pepper strips and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Let the peppers sizzle and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become tender and develop beautiful charred edges.

Set the peppers aside when complete.

Step 3: Create Sizzling Dressing

In a small skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat.

Add thin garlic slices and let them dance in the oil for about 20 seconds. Introduce capers to the pan and cook for another 15 seconds.

Sprinkle in cumin and coriander seeds, continuing to cook until the garlic turns a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 4: Assemble and Toss Salad

Pour the hot, aromatic dressing directly over the green beans and charred peppers.

• Green onions
• Chervil
• Tarragon
• Lemon zest

Season with salt and pepper. Toss everything together until well combined.

Serve immediately and enjoy the vibrant flavors.

Tips to Keep Your Green Beans Snappy

• Blanch green beans quickly to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture, avoiding overcooking which can make them soggy.
• Char bell peppers on high heat to develop deep, smoky flavors and create attractive caramelized edges that enhance the salad's overall taste.
• Toast cumin and coriander seeds briefly to release their aromatic oils, intensifying the dressing's complexity and adding warm, earthy undertones.
• Use fresh herbs like chervil and tarragon generously to bring brightness and delicate layers of flavor to the green bean salad.
• Select young, tender green beans for the best texture and sweetness, ensuring they remain crunchy after blanching.

Ways to Remix Ottolenghi’s Green Bean Salad

• Citrus Zinger: Replace lemon zest with orange or lime zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile that adds a refreshing summer kick.
• Herb Garden Mix: Swap chervil and tarragon with fresh basil, mint, and parsley to create a vibrant, aromatic green bean salad with Mediterranean undertones.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted almonds or pine nuts over the salad for added texture and rich, earthy notes that complement the green beans and spices.
• Spice Lover's Version: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika to the dressing for a subtle heat that elevates the overall taste experience.

Great Matches for Ottolenghi’s Crisp Salad

• Pair Green Herb Vibrancy with Crisp White Wine: Choose a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the herb-forward green bean salad, cutting through its rich, spiced dressing.
• Elevate with Mediterranean Rosé: Select a dry Provence rosé that matches the salad's bright, zesty Mediterranean flavors and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the warm garlic-infused dressing.
• Match with Grilled Protein Companions: Serve alongside grilled chicken, light fish like sea bass, or herb-crusted lamb to create a balanced meal that enhances the salad's complex spice profile.

Best Storage Practices for Green Bean Salad

• Refrigerator Storage: Place leftover salad in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep the container sealed to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Cold Serving: Enjoy the salad straight from the refrigerator as a quick side dish. Let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to take the chill off and enhance flavor.
• Reheating Option: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add a small splash of olive oil to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Herb Refresh: If herbs look wilted after storage, chop fresh herbs and sprinkle on top before serving to revive the salad's bright appearance and flavor.

Ottolenghi’s Salad Questions, Solved

• Why do I need to blanch the green beans?

Blanching helps preserve the vibrant green color, maintains a crisp texture, and partially cooks the beans while stopping enzyme activity that can cause discoloration or softening.

• Can I substitute fresh herbs if I don't have chervil or tarragon?

Yes, you can use fresh parsley or dill as alternatives. They’ll provide a fresh herbal note similar to the original recipe’s herbs.

• What does blistering the capsicum do for the dish?

Blistering caramelizes the bell peppers, intensifies their natural sweetness, adds a smoky flavor, and creates a more complex taste profile for the salad.

Ottolenghis Green Bean Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ottolenghi’s green bean salad delivers Mediterranean magic on a plate, blending crisp beans with zesty herbs and tangy dressing. Refreshing, elegant flavors promise a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each vibrant bite.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables:

• 500 grams/1 pound green beans, trimmed
• 2 red bell peppers, cut into strips
• 4 green onions, finely sliced

Herbs and Spices:

• 2 cups chervil leaves (or coriander and dill)
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped tarragon leaves
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced
• 3 tablespoons capers, rinsed and dried

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge green beans and cook for precisely 3 minutes until crisp-tender.
2. Immediately transfer beans to an ice bath or rinse under cold running water to halt cooking process. Thoroughly pat dry with clean kitchen towel.
3. Select a heavy skillet and heat olive oil until shimmering. Carefully place bell pepper strips into pan, seasoning with salt and pepper. Sauté over high heat, turning occasionally until edges become caramelized and slightly charred.
4. In a separate small skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Gently add garlic slices and toast until edges turn golden, approximately 20 seconds.
5. Introduce capers to the garlic-infused oil, cooking briefly for 15 seconds. Sprinkle cumin and coriander seeds into the mixture, continuing to cook until garlic reaches a deep golden hue.
6. Transfer hot, aromatic dressing directly over prepared green beans and roasted bell peppers. Incorporate green onions, chervil, tarragon, and lemon zest.
7. Season comprehensively with salt and pepper, then toss ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors. Serve immediately while ingredients remain warm and vibrant.

Notes

• Blanch green beans precisely for that perfect crisp-tender texture, avoiding overcooking which can make them mushy and lose vibrant green color.
• Blister capsicum on high heat to develop deep caramelized flavors and enhance natural sweetness without burning the peppers.
• Toast cumin and coriander seeds briefly to release their aromatic oils, creating a more intense and complex flavor profile for the dressing.
• Adjust herb quantities based on personal preference, ensuring a balanced combination of chervil and tarragon that complements the vegetables without overwhelming them.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 135
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 9g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg