Taste Of Summer

In Chicago today it’s 80 degrees and fabulous outside! Chicagoans LIVE for the few short months of summers since the winters are so brutal and long. All this warm weather has got me in the mood to add some new recipes to my arsenal for the summer. When I stumbled across this recipe from Cooking on the Side I just had to share it!

All of the ingredients in the recipe are things you probably already have on hand and if not can get easily. I can just picture this dish being served on the side of a nice grilled chicken breast with a glass of white wine. Doesn’t get more summer than that!

Green Beans with Feta and Dill

INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs. fresh green beans - 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar -1 tablespoon minced shallot - 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - Salt and pepper - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced - 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl or measuring cup combine the vinegar, shallot, salt and pepper. Whisk to soften the shallot then drizzle in the oil in while whisking. Set aside.
Cook beans in boiling water for 7 minutes or until tender-crisp. Drain; rinse with cold water.
Toss beans with dressing (start with a small amount and add more to taste), cheese, onion and dill in a large bowl. Alternatively, you can present the dish as I did and toss only the dressing, onion and dill together, arrange on a tray, and then sprinkle feta and more dill on top.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for several hours or until chilled.

Photos and recipe courtesy Cooking on the Side