Imagine a side dish that's not just a boring vegetable accompaniment, but a vibrant explosion of flavors that will make your dinner guests ask, "What is THIS?" The Orange Pine Nut Green Bean Salad is your culinary game-changer - a perfect blend of crisp green beans, toasty pine nuts, and bright citrusy notes that will elevate any meal from ordinary to extraordinary. In just 20 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that looks gourmet but is surprisingly simple to prepare!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1 orange, zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the green beans. Rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Trim the ends of the green beans and set them aside.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the trimmed green beans and cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until they are bright green and tender-crisp. Be careful not to overcook them.
- While the green beans are cooking, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water. Once the green beans are cooked, immediately transfer them to the ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color.
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts. Stir frequently for about 3-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fragrant. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- While the pine nuts are toasting, zest the orange using a microplane or zester, being careful to only remove the outer orange layer and not the bitter white pith. Then, cut the orange in half and juice it, ensuring to remove any seeds.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled green beans, toasted pine nuts, orange zest, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the salad and toss gently to combine all the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as necessary to enhance the flavors.
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish or individual plates. Optionally, garnish with additional orange zest or a sprinkle of pine nuts for presentation.
- Serve immediately as a refreshing side dish or chill in the refrigerator for up to an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Tips
- Bean Blanching Mastery: The key to perfect green beans is the quick blanch-and-chill method. Cook them just until bright green and immediately shock in ice water to preserve their crisp texture and vibrant color.
- Pine Nut Pro Tip: Toast pine nuts carefully! They can burn quickly, so keep them moving in the pan and watch closely. The moment they turn golden and become fragrant, remove from heat.
- Zest Like a Pro: When zesting the orange, only remove the outer colored layer. The white pith underneath is bitter and can ruin your salad's delicate flavor profile.
- Make Ahead Magic: This salad actually tastes even better after sitting for 30-60 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Perfect for preparing in advance of your meal!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
