Allowing the farmer’s market to determine the mix of beans in this filling salad gives new meaning to the traditional “three-bean salad.” Fresh beans are always a treat, but I make this dish year-round by using canned navy, garbanzo, or cannellini beans when fresh ones aren’t available. If using canned beans, just skip the blanching step and toss the beans with the herb vinaigrette.

　　

Ingredients

serves 6 to 8

　　

Salad

1/2 pound green, Roma, or pole beans

　　1/2 pound French green beans

　　1/2 pound wax beans

　　1/2 pound Tongue of Fire beans

　　Pinch of kosher salt

　　2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

　　2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano, marjoram, or basil

　　

Vinaigrette

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

　　2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

　　1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

　　1 garlic clove, smashed and minced

　　1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

　　1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

　　1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

　　Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　

Salad

Step 1

Snap off and discard the stem ends of all the beans. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the kosher salt. Prepare a large bowl of ice water and set aside.

　　

Step 2

Working with one variety at a time, blanch the beans (see Know-how, page 261), cool in the ice water, and drain thoroughly (I usually blot with a paper towel to remove excess water). Chill in the refrigerator. (You may need to add more ice between batches.)

　　

Step 3

Place the beans in a large bowl and add the parsley and oregano.

　　

Vinaigrette

Step 4

Stir together the lemon zest and juice, vinegar, mustard, and garlic in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until well incorporated. Add the parsley and chives and season with salt and pepper to taste.

　　

Step 5

Pour the vinaigrette over the beans and serve at room temperature or refrigerate until ready to serve.

　　Reprinted with permission from Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen: Soulful, Traditional, Seasonal by Sara Foster. Copyright © 2011 by Sara Foster. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved.Sara Foster is the owner of Foster's Market, the acclaimed gourmet take-out store/cafés in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the author of several cookbooks including The Foster's Market Cookbook, winner of the Best Cookbook Award from the Southeast Booksellers Association. She has appeared numerous times on Martha Stewart Living Television and NBC's Today show. She has also been featured in magazines such as More, House Beautiful, and Southern Living, and is featured regularly in Bon Appétit.