Green Bean Salad with Balsamic Reduction Sauce

Looking for a perfect side dish for any holiday meal? I could eat this delicious fresh green bean salad every day. It is easy to make, travels well, is great served at room temperature, and is gluten free and dairy free. It does contain sunflower seeds and almonds, but they can be omitted if nuts are a concern.

The wonderful flavors of red onion, tomatoes, green beans, and sunflower seeds are laced with my sweet balsamic vinegar reduction dressing and is really delicious. Did I mention there is no oil, so it is relatively low calorie too and works for low carbohydrate too! 

If you are not vegan, you can add crumbled blue cheese for an even more enticing dish !

Optional: Add crumbled blue cheese or feta ( I like it with blue cheese) 

What's Special About The Beans In This Salad

I love cooked fresh string beans, but sometimes they come out too soft, sometimes they come out too tough, and sometimes they come out an unappealing grayish green- but with this method. These green beans come out just right every time!

I was having a women's group over for a light lunch. Along with some egg salad, I was served this colorful gluten free healthy salad that I made relatively quickly and easily. It was impressive!

I knew this salad would only taste good if the string beans remained bright green, crispy and crunchy. Since, I wanted to cook the beans the night before,  I researched ideas and decided on the following simple method! It may sound simple but it turns out excellent beans for a salad or any side dish!

The Simple Method for Perfect String Beans!

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
After you clean and prep your string beans, drop them into the boiling water for no more than 2 minutes.( Watch them carefully)
Using tongs, remove the string beans and drop them into a large bowl of cold water packed with ice. This will stop them from cooking and seal in the nice green color and crunch!
Remove the beans from the bowl of ice water and pat dry.
Use immediately in your recipe or store for up to 24 hours.

The Recipe: Green Bean Salad 

Author: Judee Algazi @ Gluten Free A-Z Blog
Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Cook Time: 2-3 minutes
Serves: 6-8 sides ( double the recipe for a party) 

Ingredients: 

1 pound of raw green beans - cleaned and ends removed
8 ounces of cherry tomatoes, washed, dried, and halved
1/4 cup of diced red onion
1/2 cup raw or toasted sunflower seeds
1/4 cup of slivered almonds 
Optional: 1/2 cup of crumbled feta or blue cheese ( make sure the blue cheese is gluten free)


Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Quickly drop the fresh green beans in the boiling water for no more than 3-4 minutes! Immediately, using tongs, remove the green beans from the pot and drop into a large bowl of ice water. Remove, drain, and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl toss the cooked green beans, red onions, cherry tomatoes, sunflower seeds, and slivered almonds.(  optional blue or feta cheese).

Dress with my fast and easy balsamic reduction vinegar Glaze recipe.

Click for the balsamic Vinegar reduction recipe 

My Notes:

1. Make the green beans in advance up to a day before. 
2. Assemble the salad the night before and cover well in the refrigerator.
3. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar reduction dressing just before serving. 

Recipe Linked on : My Blog Carnival List and Souper Sunday

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Why I use and love Essential Oils!

I bought a Young Living Starter Kit that is pictured below and have found the oils extremely helpful for my entire family. It's like having my own chemical free first aid kit in the house and especially useful when I travel. I don't leave home without them. 

Click here to : Order Young Living Essential Oils: 
contact me at vegyid2@yahoo.com for more information or if you need help placing your order. Judee Algazi...

If you sign up as part of my group, I am available to help you with information, questions, ideas, webinars, etc.

This are a few of the oils that come in the kit: 

Thieves: We use it to boost our immune system. It's the first winter that I have not come down with a cold. I dilute it with a carrier oil ( like almond oil) and rub the thieves on the bottom of my feet before I go out each day. I also made a roll-on to carry with me for a touch up on my wrists in the movie theater, when I'm in a crowd, etc.. 

Panaway: I use this soothe achy muscles and it works great! I love the smell too. My niece gets menstrual cramp relief using Panaway diluted with almond oil applied to her crampy areas.

Lavendar: I diffuse this one at night before bed. It's very relaxing and we feel so peaceful when it's diffusing.

R.C. - My daughter in law uses this one for congestion and she feels it opens her right up. 

Digeze: I use this one for minor stomach discomfort by rubbing some Digeze diluted in a carrier oil on my stomach. It really works for me to break up gas and discomfort!

Click here to : Order Young Living Essential Oils: 

If you are interested in buying the oils at wholesale prices or just learning more about Young Living Essential oils send me an email. I am a distributor and can help you sign up and be part of our team to receive wholesale prices. Email: vegyid2@yahoo.com  Judee Algazi #3329912 is my distributor number

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