Italian Green Bean Salad Recipe

Italian Green Bean Salad Recipe

• 9 Servings
• Prep: 20 min. Cook: 15 min.

20 15 35

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced roasted sweet red peppers
• 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
• 2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons Crisco® Olive Oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Additional fresh basil leaves, optional

Directions

• Place beans in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately place in ice water. Drain and pat dry.
• Transfer to a salad bowl; add the basil, peppers and pine nuts. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, pepper and salt. Drizzle over bean mixture and toss to coat. Garnish with additional basil if desired. Yield: 9 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup equals 76 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 87 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat.

Italian Green Bean Salad published in Healthy Cooking October/November 2008, p26

Pine Nuts

Also know as pignolia or pinon, the pine nut is the small seed from one of several pine tree varieties. They are small elongated ivory-colored nuts measuring about 3/8 inch long and having a soft texture and a buttery flavor. Frequently used in Italian dishes and sauces such as pesto, pine nuts are often toasted to enhance their flavor.