Green Bean, Pecan, and Feta Salad

Julesong's Note:

A versatile and tasty veggie salad to help cool those hot summer days! Prep time is chilling time in the fridge.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 2 hrs
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 2 lbs fresh green beans , ends trimmed
• 1 small purple onion , thinly sliced
• 4 ounces crumbled good quality feta cheese
• 1 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup champagne vinegar
• 4 -5 drops good balsamic vinegar , to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 2 cloves garlic , minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt , to taste
• 1⁄8; teaspoon pepper , to taste

Directions:

1. Trim the ends (and strings, if you like) from the green beans, then snap or cut them into thirds.
2. Using a steamer basket in a pan, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until crisp-tender; plunge the cooked beans into cold water to stop the cooking process, then drain and pat dry.
3. Toss together the cooked green beans, sliced onion, feta, and pecans in a large bowl; cover and chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
4. Meanwhile, whisk together the remaining ingredients in a non-reactive bowl to make the vinaigrette; chill for 1 hour.
5. Pour the vinaigrette over bean mixture, toss, and chill an additional 1 hour; toss again just before serving.
6. Makes 8 servings.
7. Notes: walnuts or pine nuts can be substituted for pecans, and dill may be substituted for basil if you prefer.
8. Tweaked and adapted from a recipe posted at Gail's Recipe Swap.

Reviews

[ovendiva]

A real winner! Very good alternative to using leafy greens. I didn't have champagne vinegar and just used White Wine vinegar instead. I only used a quarter of a large purple onion and it was plenty for our tastes.

[So Cal Gal]

This is a fantastic salad--I don't think I've ever had anything quite like it. The flavors and textures go together really well. And putting pecans together with feta cheese is just downright inspired!! I had to sub regular white vinegar for the champagne vinegar and dried basil for the fresh (because I didn't have either of those items), but the salad was wonderful just the same!Thanks Julesong for a great recipe!!!

[Missy Wombat]

I love this recipe. I ran out of onions but the recipe was pretty good without one and would only be better with one. I used snake beans and it is perfect for those late summer light dinners. Served it with some pasta and mesculin greens. Yum!