Green Beans with Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes Salad

A delightful salad featuring crisp green beans sautéed with garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, enhanced with the flavors of balsamic vinegar and optional Parmesan cheese. This salad is a perfect side dish or a light meal on its own.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb green beans, trimmed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese optional
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish optional

Instructions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil

Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are crisp-tender

Drain and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process

Once cooled, drain again

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat

Add the minced garlic and saut for about 1 minute or until fragrant

Be careful not to brown the garlic

Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally

Toss the blanched green beans into the skillet with the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes

Saut for an additional 2-3 minutes until the beans are heated through and well-coated with the garlic and tomato mixture

Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste and drizzle with balsamic vinegar

Toss to combine

If desired, sprinkle the salad with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil leaves

Serve the Green Beans with Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes Salad warm or at room temperature