Mediterranean Green Bean and Feta Salad

Ingredients

• Salt (1 teaspoon)
• Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Dijon mustard (1 tablespoon)
• Extra virgin olive oil (3 tablespoons)
• Lemon juice (2 tablespoons)
• Fresh parsley (1/4 cup, finely chopped)
• Kalamata olives (1/2 cup, pitted and sliced)
• Red onion (1/2 cup, thinly sliced)
• Cherry tomatoes (1 cup, halved)
• Feta cheese (1 cup, crumbled)
• Green beans (1 pound, trimmed)

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the trimmed green beans and blanch them until they are crisp-tender, which should take about 3-4 minutes. Drain the beans and immediately rinse them under cold water to halt the cooking process and retain their vibrant color.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched green beans, crumbled feta cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, sliced Kalamata olives, and finely chopped fresh parsley.
3. In a separate bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
4. Pour the zesty lemon-Dijon dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure the ingredients are evenly coated.
5. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
6. Serve the salad chilled as a side dish or enjoy it as a light, refreshing main on a hot summer day. Enjoy!