| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 250 | 11g | 1.5g | 20g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 5g | 7g | 14g | 0.37g |
Why I Love Swedish Green Bean Salad with Soybeans and Sesame Dressing
Meet my new favorite delight, the Green Bean Salad with Soybeans and Sesame Dressing, a fresh summer specialty with a unique Swedish touch. Even though sushi rolls and seafood dishes are my signatures, I’m always excited about exploring and experimenting with other global cuisines. This salad, rich in taste and packed full of nutritional value, is a testament to this passion for food exploration.
A Culinary Journey to Sweden
This Swedish recipe took me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to immerse myself in the beauty of global flavors. I’ve always found the Swedes’ love of green beans and the clever ways they incorporate them into their dishes intriguing. A Swedish chef who has inspired me with his hearty and wholesome food is the renowned Magnus Nilsson and I’m delighted to incorporate his influence into my culinary repertoire.
Fusing Nordic Simplicity and Japanese Umami
Combining Nordic simplicity with Japanese flavor and technique, the Green Bean Salad with Soybeans and Sesame Dressing brings the best of both worlds on the plate. Working with fresh ingredients like green beans and flavor-packed edamame beans inspired me to add a touch of my Japanese heritage with white and black sesame seeds, a staple in many traditional dishes I’ve grown up with.
For the dressing, the mingling of aromatic sesame oil, tangy rice vinegar, savory soy sauce, and sweet honey creates a perfect balance of flavors. This simple delight is peppered with finely chopped green onions, a punch of fresh cilantro, and a hint of salt.
Remember, it’s the details that elevate your dish to the next level. Toasting your sesame seeds before adding them to the dish will unlock a world of flavor. It gives them a deliciously, intense nutty taste and a tad bit of crunchiness – something I learned from watching my mother make her signature roasted sesame seeds.
This Swedish-inspired recipe marries well with both the Pacific Northwest’s and Japan’s love of fresh, flavorsome ingredients, creating a dish of full-bodied tastes and memories that span the globe. Happy cooking!
What You’ll Need
- 1 1/2 pounds of fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 cups of frozen shelled edamame (green soybeans)
- 1 tablespoon of white sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon of black sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt to taste
Method
Step One
First, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook until they become crispy yet tender. This should take around 4 minutes. Drain the green beans and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set them aside.
Step Two
Next, it’s time to cook the edamame. Place the edamame in the same pot of water, bring it to a boil and cook until they soften. This will take around 5 minutes. Once done, drain the edamame, rinse with cool water, then set it aside.
Step Three
While the edamame is cooking, toast the sesame seeds. In a small skillet over medium heat, combine the white and black sesame seeds and cook until they turn golden brown. This will take around 3 minutes. Remember to keep stirring the seeds to prevent burning. Once toasted, transfer the seeds to a bowl to cool down.
Step Four
In a separate bowl, make the sesame dressing. Add in the sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and black pepper. Whisk them together until they are combined well.
Step Five
Combine the green beans and edamame in a large bowl. Add the thinly sliced green onions and chopped fresh cilantro. Pour the sesame dressing over the mixture, then toss everything together until well combined.
Step Six
Finally, taste the salad, add salt as required, and then sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds on top. Your Green Bean Salad with Soybeans and Sesame Dressing is ready to be served. Enjoy!
