Black and White Bean Primavera Salad
Nourish
- Course: Salad, Side Dish
- Features: Healthy, Make-Ahead Recipes, Gluten-Free
Summary:
To me, primavera style means lots of vegetables and herbs. In this salad, two kinds of beans are combined with a barely cooked mixture of carrots, onions, bell pepper, zucchini and peas, then tossed with a light dressing of sherry vinegar and olive oil. Every bite has a delicious combination of herbs, beans and vegetables.
Mix and match your own favorite vegetables. You can use any combination of herbs, but don't leave them out. They add bright flavor that completes the dish. See the related recipe link (online) for directions on how to cook beans.
MAKE AHEAD: The salad can be made up to 3 days in advance (and, ideally, brought to room temperature before serving) and goes with grilled or broiled meats, seafood and poultry. To make it work as an entree for lunch or a light supper, add bite-size pieces of cooked chicken, shrimp or pork.
6 to 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small (2 ounces) onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
- 1/2 large red, yellow or orange bell pepper, cut into small dice (1/2 cup)
- 1 medium (about 2 ounces) carrot, cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 medium zucchini or yellow squash, cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup frozen petite or small peas, defrosted
- 1 1/2 cups cooked, no-salt-added black beans
- 1 1/2 cups cooked, no-salt-added small white beans or navy beans
- 1/4 cup finely chopped combination of fresh herbs, such as parsley, dill and chives
- 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar or mild red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Directions:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper; reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring so the vegetables start to soften but do not brown. Add the carrot and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the zucchini or yellow squash and 1/8 teaspoon of the salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the zucchini or yellow squash and carrot lose their raw look and are just tender. Then add the peas and cook for 2 minutes, stirring to incorporate and heat through. Transfer to a large bowl.
While the vegetable mixture is still warm, add the cooked beans and the herbs; mix well.
Whisk together the vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, pepper to taste, sugar and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Add the dressing to the salad and stir to combine. Taste, and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Place 1 cup dried Great Northern beans or small white beans in a medium bowl; add enough water to cover by at least 1 inch and let the beans soak overnight at room temperature.
Drain, then transfer to a medium saucepan. Add enough water to cover the beans by an inch or two. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 90 minutes or until cooked through.
Drain the beans, then spread them out on a baking sheet to cool. Use right away, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. (This should yield about 3 cups total.)
Recipe Source:
From Nourish columnist Stephanie Witt Sedgwick.
E-mail the Food Section with recipe questions.
(Dayna Smith for The Washington Post)
