Skip to main content

Watercress and Green Bean Salad

To keep watercress fresh, wrap it in damp paper towels and place it in a resealable plastic bag. Stored this way, it can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Just before making the salad, “crisp” the watercress by soaking it in a bowl of ice water for a few minutes, then gently pat dry.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more for seasoning
8 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 Kirby cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
1 bunch watercress, thick stems discarded
1/4 cup packed mint leaves, large leaves torn in half

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil; add salt. Blanch the green beans until crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Immediately transfer with a slotted spoon to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking. Drain, and set aside.

    Step 2

    Whisk together the shallot, lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large serving bowl; season with pepper. Whisking constantly, pour in the oil in a slow, steady stream; whisk until emulsified.

    Step 3

    Add the cucumber and reserved green beans to the bowl; toss to coat. Add the watercress and mint; gently toss. Season with salt and pepper.

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like fattoush salad and strawberry shortcake roll.
Add a bag of potato chips and you've got yourself a party.
This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.