Summer Produce: String Beans, Cucumbers and Herbs

Green Beans with Fresh Mint Salad

Adapted from Caprial Cooks for Friends

2 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, blanched
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Grated zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup sour cream
6 dashes Tabasco sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Sprigs of fresh mint for garnish (optional)

Place the green beans and red onion in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, mint, lemon zest and juice, and mustard. While whisking, slowly add the olive oil and whisk until thick and emulsified. Add in the sour cream and Tabasco. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the beans and mix well. Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Quinoa Tabbouleh

1 cup quinoa
3 tablespoons of olive oil
1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup or more chopped mint
1-2 cups of cherry tomatoes cut in half
1 large cucumber, diced
Salt and pepper to taste

Rinse quinoa in a mesh strainer or sieve. I prefer to make quinoa in a rice cooker with 1 cup of quinoa to 2 cups water. Or on the stove, add 2 cups of water to a medium-sized saucepan with quinoa and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes. Transfer the quinoa to a bowl and let it cool. While it’s cooling, in a large bowl mix together the other ingredients. Stir in the quinoa once it has cooled and refrigerate for 1/2 hour.

Perfect Pesto

2 cups packed basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (I like to use a zester because the cheese comes out fluffier)

Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Pour into a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, mix in the grated Parmesan cheese.