Tangy green bean ciliegine salad

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of tangy green beans and creamy ciliegine mozzarella in this refreshing salad. Perfect for a light and refreshing meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 strips thick cut bacon
• 450g green beans or haricot verts, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 cup tomatoes, seeded cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 cup ciliegine (small mozzarella packed in water), cut in half or 1 cup of diced fresh mozzarella
• 1/2 cup very thinly sliced assorted radishes
• 1/4 cup minced shallot
• 1 1/2 tablespoons rendered bacon fat (from cooking the bacon)
• 1 teaspoon pommery style or whole grain dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions:

1. Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium to medium high heat until it becomes crispy, flipping it a few times. Place the cooked bacon on a small plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess grease. Then crumble or chop the bacon and set it aside. Keep 1 1/2 tablespoons of the bacon fat for later use in the dressing.
2. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl (combining ice and water) and leave it aside. Boil salted water in a medium saucepan (approximately 6 cups). Add the green beans and cook for about 2-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp. Use a slotted spoon or spider to transfer the green beans to the ice bath to halt the cooking process. Once the beans are cold, drain the water and dry them with paper towels. Put the beans into a large bowl.
3. Mix in the tomatoes, ciliegine, and radishes with the green beans and gently mix them together. Set the bowl aside.
4. In a small bowl, blend the shallot, rendered bacon fat, mustard, olive oil, red wine vinegar, parsley, black pepper, and kosher salt. Whisk the ingredients together. The salad can be served cold or at room temperature, but I personally prefer it at room temperature.

Summary:

• Calories: 1376 kcal
• Fat: 111 g
• Protein: 52 g
• Carbs: 50 g
• Potassium: 1967 mg
• Magnesium: 190 mg