Georgian Bean Salad With Cilantro Sauce Recipes

GEORGIAN BEAN SALAD WITH CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak the beans overnight or for six hours in just enough water to cover the beans. Transfer with the soaking water to a soup pot or Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover by 2 inches, and bring to a simmer. Skim off any foam, then add the onion and two of the garlic cloves. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer one hour or until the beans are just about tender. Add salt to taste (about 1 rounded teaspoon) and the remaining garlic, and simmer another 30 minutes or until the beans are tender but intact. Drain, retaining the liquid.
• Toss the beans with the cilantro sauce and the scallions. If you wish, moisten with some of the bean liquid. Transfer to a serving dish, and allow to cool to room temperature. Moisten with more liquid if desired, and adjust seasonings before serving. Add chopped tomatoes if desired. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

RED BEAN STEW WITH FRIED ONIONS AND CILANTRO

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine beans and 1 teaspoon salt. Add enough water to cover beans by 2 inches and let soak for at least 6 hours or overnight. Drain.
• Combine beans, 2 teaspoons salt, bay leaves and 6 cups water in a heavy pot or Dutch oven and bring to a simmer. Simmer very gently, partly covered, until beans are quite tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Using a mortar and pestle, blender or mini food processor, grind garlic, cilantro, savory or oregano, pepper, coriander, fenugreek (if using), cayenne, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt into a rough paste.
• Set 2 tablespoons of chopped onion aside for final garnish. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until very hot. Add remaining onions and fry until they turn brown at the edges, 7 to 12 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt.
• When the beans are done, drain and reserve cooking liquid. Return beans to pot and use a potato masher or sturdy spoon to mash them, gradually adding the cilantro-garlic paste and fried onions. When everything is well incorporated, stir in reserved cooking liquid until soupy. Taste and season with tkemali or pomegranate molasses, lemon juice and more salt, if needed.
• Garnish each serving with raw onions, cilantro, pomegranate seeds (if using), and a drizzle of tkemali or pomegranate molasses, if you like. Serve cheese on the side or crumbled on top.

GEORGIAN CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the dried apricots in a bowl and pour on the boiling water. Let sit for at least an hour, more if possible, even overnight. Drain over a measuring cup and retain 1/2 cup of the soaking water.
• Turn on a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and drop in the garlic. When it is chopped and adhering to the sides of the bowl, stop the machine and scrape down the bowl. Add the walnuts, and process with the garlic. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the drained apricots, the lemon juice, salt, pepper and cayenne to the bowl, and process to a puree. Add the cilantro and other chopped herbs, and puree, stopping the machine to scrape down the sides several times. Combine the walnut oil and soaking water from the apricots, and with the machine running, gradually add it to the puree. Process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, and let sit for one hour. Taste and adjust salt. Serve with beans, chicken, meat or fish, grilled or roasted vegetables, or grains.

3 BEAN CILANTRO LIME SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine beans, bell peppers, and onions.
• In a jelly jar, combine oil, vinegar, lime and lemon juice, salt, and garlic. Place the lid on, seal tight, then shake until well combined. Pour the vinegar mixture over the beans and stir to combine.
• Toss the mixture with the cilantro. Taste, then add chili pepper and/or salt if desired.
• Refrigerate mixture until ready to serve. This actually tastes even better the second day so feel free to make it ahead of time and refrigerate overnight.

GREEN BEAN SALAD WITH CILANTRO AND SOY-GLAZED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Place almonds in small nonstick skillet. Stir over medium heat until almonds are lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Increase heat medium-high. Add 3 teaspoons soy sauce and stir until soy sauce evaporates and coats almonds, about 1 minute. Transfer to plate and cool. Chop almonds. Cook beans in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain. Rinse beans under cold water. Drain well. (Almonds and beans can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover almonds and store at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate beans; bring to room temperature before continuing.)
• Whisk vinegar, oil, garlic, ginger and remaining 1 teaspoon soy sauce in large bowl to blend. Add beans and toss to coat. Sprinkle green onions, cilantro and almonds over salad and serve.

KIDNEY BEAN SALAD WITH WALNUTS AND CILANTRO

Steps:

• Toast cumin in skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Whisk vinegar and oil in bowl to combine.
• Combine kidney beans, onion, 1 1/2 cups walnuts, and 1/2 cup chopped cilantro in large bowl. Add vinegar and oil mixture. Crumble cumin seeds between fingers and add to bean mixture. Toss gently to blend; season with salt and pepper. Let salad stand at room temperature for 2 hours. (Can be made 6 hours ahead; refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Line and fill large bowl with lettuce leaves. Spoon salad into bowl. Garnish salad with additional cilantro and walnuts and serve.

BLACK BEAN SALAD WITH LIME-CILANTRO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients, except avocados, in a large bowl and mix well. Toss with desired amount of dressing.
• Cover and chill for a few hours or overnight. Right before serving, add avocados and mix gently, being careful not to mash avocados.
• Serve at room temperature.