Are you tired of boring, bland salads that leave you unsatisfied? Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this incredible "Salade de brocolis et de haricots blancs" - a French-style broccoli and white bean salad that's not just a side dish, but a culinary experience! Packed with vibrant flavors, nutritious ingredients, and a zesty dressing, this recipe will revolutionize your approach to healthy eating while delivering restaurant-quality taste right in your own kitchen.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a medium-sized pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water.
- Prepare the broccoli florets by washing them thoroughly under cold running water. Cut larger florets into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Carefully add the broccoli florets to the boiling water and blanch for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender but still crisp.
- Immediately drain the broccoli and transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture.
- Drain the white beans and rinse them under cold water to remove any excess sodium from the canning liquid.
- Finely chop the red onion into small, uniform pieces to distribute flavor evenly throughout the salad.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched broccoli, white beans, and chopped red onion.
- Create the dressing by whisking together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli, beans, and onion mixture. Gently toss to ensure all ingredients are well coated.
- Let the salad rest for 5-10 minutes at room temperature to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed before serving.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish or light lunch.
Tips
- Blanching Perfection: The key to this salad is perfectly blanched broccoli. Watch your timing closely - 2-3 minutes ensures crisp, bright green florets that retain maximum nutrients and texture.
- Ice Bath Magic: Always have a bowl of ice water ready to stop the cooking process immediately after blanching. This technique locks in the broccoli's vibrant color and prevents overcooking.
- Flavor Infusion: Let the salad rest for 5-10 minutes after dressing to allow ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, more complex flavors.
- Customize Your Salad: Feel free to add extra protein like grilled chicken or feta cheese to make this a more substantial meal.
- Fresh is Best: Use freshly ground black pepper and high-quality olive oil for the most authentic and delicious results.
- Serving Tip: This salad tastes amazing both chilled and at room temperature, making it perfect for meal prep and picnics.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 159kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
