Heirloom Tomato and Haricot Vert Salad
Photo: Cedric Angeles; Styling: Robyn Valarik
It's nice to use a mix of colors of tomatoes, but make sure they all taste wonderful--flavor is most important. Suzanne Goin, chef and co-owner of four Los Angeles restaurants--Lucques, A.O.C., Tavern, and the Larder at Maple Drive--created this recipe for an outdoor feast celebrating the 10th anniversary of A.O.C.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Bring a small pot of salted water to boil, then blanch beans for 2 to 3 minutes, until just tender. Transfer with tongs to a baking sheet to cool.
Step 2
2
Make balsamic vinaigrette: Using a mortar and pestle, pound oregano, garlic, and a scant 1/4 tsp. salt to a paste (or chop garlic and oregano, sprinkle with the salt, mince, and mash into a paste with the flat side of a chef's knife). Transfer to a small bowl and pour in vinegars. Whisk in olive oil and taste for balance and seasoning.
Step 3
3
Whisk hazelnut oil, lemon zest, and a couple of pinches of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Finely chop half of hazelnuts and stir into dressing; coarsely chop the rest and stir in. Drizzle hazelnut dressing over haricots verts, season with salt and pepper, and toss together.
Step 4
4
Hold heirloom tomatoes on their sides and cut into 1/4-in.-thick slices. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange slices on a large round platter, overlapping them, and spoon on about half the balsamic vinaigrette. Scatter with arugula leaves.
Step 5
5
Stir cherry tomatoes into remaining vinaigrette in bowl and season with salt and pepper. Pile in center of platter, then top with haricots verts. Spoon on a few dollops of crème fraîche and sprinkle about a third of pistou onto and around salad (serve the rest alongside).
Step 6
6
*Find with the oils in well-stocked grocery stores.
Ingredients
About 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for blanching beans
1/4 pound haricots verts (thin green beans), tops trimmed
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
1/2 small garlic clove
2 1/4 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons good-quality balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons roasted hazelnut oil*
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
Pepper
1/4 cup skinned toasted hazelnuts
1 1/4 pounds heirloom tomatoes
1/2 bunch baby arugula
About 1 cup cherry tomatoes, stemmed and cut in half
2 tablespoons crème fraîche
Directions
Step 1
1
Bring a small pot of salted water to boil, then blanch beans for 2 to 3 minutes, until just tender. Transfer with tongs to a baking sheet to cool.
Step 2
2
Make balsamic vinaigrette: Using a mortar and pestle, pound oregano, garlic, and a scant 1/4 tsp. salt to a paste (or chop garlic and oregano, sprinkle with the salt, mince, and mash into a paste with the flat side of a chef's knife). Transfer to a small bowl and pour in vinegars. Whisk in olive oil and taste for balance and seasoning.
Step 3
3
Whisk hazelnut oil, lemon zest, and a couple of pinches of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Finely chop half of hazelnuts and stir into dressing; coarsely chop the rest and stir in. Drizzle hazelnut dressing over haricots verts, season with salt and pepper, and toss together.
Step 4
4
Hold heirloom tomatoes on their sides and cut into 1/4-in.-thick slices. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange slices on a large round platter, overlapping them, and spoon on about half the balsamic vinaigrette. Scatter with arugula leaves.
Step 5
5
Stir cherry tomatoes into remaining vinaigrette in bowl and season with salt and pepper. Pile in center of platter, then top with haricots verts. Spoon on a few dollops of crème fraîche and sprinkle about a third of pistou onto and around salad (serve the rest alongside).
Step 6
6
*Find with the oils in well-stocked grocery stores.
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