White Bean And Asparagus Salad Recipes

WHITE BEAN AND ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH TARRAGON-LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• If using canned beans, drain and rinse. If using dried beans, soak in plenty of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and transfer to a medium pot. Cover beans by 2 inches with water and add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the bay leaves. Simmer until just tender but not at all mushy, about 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, depending upon what kind of beans you're using. Drain.
• Break off tough ends of the asparagus. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and prepare a bowl with ice and cold water. Blanch trimmed asparagus for 1 1/2 minutes, or until just cooked through but still firm, then plunge them into the ice bath. Let sit for 5 minutes, then drain. Pat dry and slice diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces.
• In a blender or food processor, combine tarragon, lemon zest, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, the black pepper and the lemon juice, and process until garlic is chopped. Pour in olive oil. Process until mixture is well blended and bright green, about 1 minute.
• In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together beans, asparagus and dressing. Taste and add more lemon juice and salt if needed.

ASPARAGUS AND WHITE BEANS WITH LINGUINI

Steps:

• Saute asparagus and garlic in oil in a large skillet until crisp-tender, about 3-4 minutes.
• Stir in remaining ingredients, except salt, pepper and cheese. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture has thickened, 3-5 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve over linguini, topped with cheese.

ASPARAGUS & WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a saute pan, cover the asparagus with salted water and boil until just tender (they begin to turn bright green). Immediately remove the asparagus from heat a place in an ice bath. Drain and combine asparagus, beans and red pepper.
• In a separate bowl, combine ingredients for dressing and stir together. Coat salad with dressing, if extra remains reserve for later in refrigerator. Salad can soften too much if left in pooled dressing.

ASPARAGUS & WHITE BEAN SALAD WITH FETA & LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large, lidded pot with a steamer insert, fill with 1 1/2 inches of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Steam the asparagus pieces, covered, until they are tender-firm, 4 to 7 minutes. Drain in a colander under cold, running water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon zest and juice, mint, salt and pepper.
• In a large bowl, combine the beans, feta cheese, radishes, scallions and steamed asparagus pieces. Add the dressing and gently toss to evenly coat. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

WHITE-BEAN AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Cut asparagus on a diagonal into 1/8-inch-thick slices.
• Bring oil, lemon zest, juice, salt, and pepper to a simmer in a 4-quart heavy saucepan, then stir in beans and asparagus. Remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, 10 minutes. While beans stand, toast bread until golden. Meanwhile, remove enough cheese from piece with a vegetable peeler to measure about 1/2 cup shavings. Add shavings to beans along with parsley, then toss.
• Spread hot toast with butter and rub buttered side of each with cut side of garlic clove, then season with salt and halve. Serve bean salad with toasts.