Mediterranean White Bean Tomato Basil (Printable)
Bright Mediterranean salad of white beans, tomatoes, cucumber and basil tossed in lemon-olive oil.
# List of ingredients:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 English cucumber, diced
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Beans
04 - 1 (15 oz) can white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
→ Herbs
05 - 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or thinly sliced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
→ Dressing
07 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
10 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ To Serve
14 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, omit for vegan version)
# Steps:
01 - In a large salad bowl, toss together the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and drained white beans.
02 - Fold in the torn basil leaves and chopped parsley, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
03 - In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified and smooth.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until every ingredient is evenly coated.
05 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top if desired, then serve immediately or refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Zero cooking required, which means your kitchen stays cool and you stay sane.
- The white beans turn a simple side into something genuinely filling without weighing you down.
02 -
- Do not dress the salad more than an hour ahead or the cucumbers will weep and dilute everything.
- Rinsing canned beans until the water runs completely clear removes the starchy liquid that makes salads taste canned.
03 -
- A pinch of sugar in the dressing tames bitterness from less than perfect tomatoes or lemon juice that skews sour.
- Letting the salad sit at room temperature for ten minutes before serving wakes up flavors that the fridge puts to sleep.