A Summertime salad with the freshest market veggies. We’ve eaten this salad as a main course, but it can be a star side or fabulous starter. Green Bean Salad with Peas, Chard and Dijon Tarragon Vinaigrette is snappy and oh so fresh! vegan + gluten free
Rob and I headed to the mountains this past week. Not too far away. We’d been anticipating this for some time simply because it was needed, and after all, we were celebrating our anniversary.
How does 25 years go by so fast? I try to remind myself time is relative, yet at the same time, 25 years makes me feel, um, dare I say, old? I mean, I blinked and next thing I know, it’s been two and a half decades.
And because we were high school sweethearts, we’ve been together even longer. I feel like I’ve known Rob all my life. We’ve much to celebrate and reflect on.
Life is like that, isn’t it? Full of moments, events, and the day-to-day grind. But it’s all about how we spend our time, how we fill those moments, our contributions that bring joy or spending time being…
…still.
Listening to the wind blowing through the trees, a rushing creek, bird songs, a heart beat.
Reflecting on life, where we’ve been, memories made and shared and what we’ve learned along the way.
The highlight of our trip was spending time, immersed in nature. Stopping to gaze, breathe, listen, feel gratitude and admire old growth fir trees and swift moving creeks making their way through granite gorges. Embraced by the beauty and solitude of the forest.
I wish y’all could have seen it… my words fail.
Reflecting on our years of marriage, it’s been an interesting and exciting journey with twists and turns I would have never imagined. I’ve learned much about our relationship, myself, the opposite sex (which I still haven’t figured out), what it means to be in a relationship and know for sure that men are from Mars and women, Venus.
My patience has been stretched and strengthened and the power of love revealed. I laugh more now than ever when we just can’t seem to communicate clearly or agree.
Inspired by the colors of the forest, this Green Bean Salad with Peas, Chard and Dijon Tarragon Vinaigrette is a salad Rob and I agree on. It just feels good to eat a bowlfull of green stuff. Hearty as a main, or paired with a sandwich, this salad holds well and travels with ease. It’s an ideal salad for picnics, lunch, or dinner.
It comes together quick with just enough time on the stove to blanch, rendering the beans tender-crisp and peas smooth as silk. Have you tried chard? It’s is a mellow green that ads texture and bulk to this salad while the tangy vinaigrette brightens and ties all the ingredients together.
This is a farm-to-table salad, packed with vibrance, fiber and greens to nourish mind, body and soul. Find the ingredients at your local farmers market and make this. You’re going to love it!
…like the forest and celebrating life’s moments.
Green Bean Salad with Peas, Chard and Dijon Tarragon Vinaigrette
A Summertime salad with the freshest market veggies. We've eaten this salad as a main course, but it can be a star side or fabulous starter. Vegan + GFPrep Time 20 minutesCook Time 5 minutesTotal Time 25 minutesServings 4 ServingsIngredients
For the Salad:
- 1 C Peas fresh or frozen (shelled if fresh), 172g
- 1 lb Green Beans trimmed, 438g
- 3 C Rainbow or Swiss Chard stems trimmed, leaves rolled up and cut into long ribbons (about 4 large leaves)* See note, 86g
- 1/4 C Purple Onion finely diced, 45g
For the Dressing:
- 3 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 Lemon zested
- 2 tsp Lemon Juice
- 2 1/2 tsp Fresh Tarragon finely chopped
- Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/8 tsp Sea Salt
- Black Pepper to Taste
- 1 Clove of Garlic grated on a microplane, about 1 tsp
Instructions
For the Salad:
For the Dressing:
To Assemble:
Recipe Notes
*Save the chard stems to toss in a smoothie or a stir fry.
Recipe inspired by Ottolenghi's Plenty.
Thank you for reading! If you make this recipe, be sure to post it to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter notify me @vanillaandbean and tag #vanillaandbean! I’d love to see what you’ve made! Follow me on Pinterest, too, for even more deliciousness!
RainDrop says
July 11, 2016 at 5:49 amA very tasty salad, thank you for this recipe. Since we’re not vegetarians, I added some crispy fried bacon, but the salad would be great even without it. We enjoyed our salad with fresh crusty bread, and that was a delicious summer meal. :)
Traci says
July 11, 2016 at 8:05 amOh I’m so happy you enjoyed this delightful Salad, RainDrop! Fresh crusty bread to soak up the dressing is perfection! My husband would say yes to the bacon :D . Thank you for sharing your comments with us!
Pang {circahappy} says
September 3, 2015 at 9:03 amIt’s so nice to see a marriage that works out beautifully, and a relationship that has blossomed since high school. Wow!!! Congratulations :) It’s also nice to unplug once in a while, esp. for your anniversary.
About this salad, it looks so fresh, so refreshing, and looks so yummy. I love salad that can be prepared for the picnic, and yours looks wonderful, Traci. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.
Traci says
September 3, 2015 at 3:41 pmThank you, Pang! I must unplug more often. Really, as much as I love it, I neeed the time away for sure. This is a perfect picnic salad.. we’ve done that with this salad several times. Even snacked on it driving down the road! xx
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
August 31, 2015 at 9:33 pmSuch a fresh beautiful salad and even more beautiful writing to go along with it!
Congrats on 25 years of marriage! I can imagine how fast it flies by. And it’s refreshing to hear your outlook on life and marriage. Learning to let go sometimes and focus on being happy are traits that I think many couples need in order to survive!
Traci says
September 1, 2015 at 4:40 amAwh, thank you, Sarah! That means so much to me. :D Time… It does fly, but then it’s relative too… a human invention of marking moments. I wonder how we’d be without it defined? Would we be less stressed, feel younger, feel as though we don’t have enough of it? Gah!! :o
Cailee says
August 31, 2015 at 7:31 pmCongrats congrats congrats!!! 25 years is SO exciting!! What a lovely way to celebrate such a beautiful occasion!! Glad that you were able to relax a bit together and enjoy you’re time in nature! …also, this salad looks nourishing and amazing!! Great recipe! Thanks so much for sharing!
Traci says
September 1, 2015 at 4:35 amThank you, Cailee! It was great to vacation a bit for our 25th, for sure. We all need more vaca in our lives! :D
Meg @ NomingthruLife says
August 30, 2015 at 9:25 amHow could it not feel good to eat this one? I’m so happy you found and have someone that you can sit next to and look back at the 25+ years you’ve shared together. I’m also so happy that you got to spend some of that recent reflection in nature… THE BEST place for reflection and to feel grounded. Congrats on 25 years of marriage little lady. *smooch*
Traci says
August 30, 2015 at 2:39 pmNo doubt… so nourishing Meg! You’d love this! Twenty five years sounds like a long time when your young… but the older you get, girl, the faster it seems to go!!! That’s why I feel like I blinked and here I am! Yeowwww!! Thaaank you Meg! Smooch to you too, Sunshine! :D
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four says
August 29, 2015 at 2:27 pmSo you mean you and Rob got married when you were 5?? ;) hehe But seriously, happy 25th anniversary!!! Wow! I can only hope to be as lucky as you two <3 That's such an amazing accomplishment. Relationships are hard work, but with respect, patience, and understanding, love can persevere and conquer as you two have so beautifully shown. Celebrating in the mountains sounds like the perfect way to commemorate and reflect. I absolutely love nature, and I love the stillness that you can find there. It's breathtaking seeing what mother nature has created for us living species to enjoy. And this salad is also breathtaking! Wow! I've never been so excited to eat green beans! I love that this is so farm-to-table. It looks flavorful, healthy, and refreshing. If I was there, the photo of you tossing the salad with your hands would have caught another arm reaching out into the bowl to steal a bite too! ;) Gorgeous, gorgeous job Traci! And stunning photos as always <3
Traci says
August 30, 2015 at 2:37 pmWe were young, and actually, my and his dad went to high school together! Small world, eh? Thank you Beeta! You would have loved it, we stayed in Leavenworth and hiked just West of it. There were forest fires burning about 2 hours North so the smoke started coming in.. we left a bit early and hiked on our way out of town where the air was a bit clearer. It was sublime. LOL – grabin salad! :D I would have welcomed it Beeta! Thank you! xx
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says
August 29, 2015 at 1:19 pm25 years… amazing! Congratulations Traci and what an ideal way for you and Rob to celebrate. Loved reading your reflections – funny, Hollywood usually leaves out the part about what it truly means to cultivate a long-term relationship :p I hope you’re having a beautiful weekend — and this salad… oh my! the colour is extraordinary and isn’t rainbow chard one of the prettiest greens ever? The French co. Maille used to make a tarragon vinegar that I just adored with a full branch of tarragon running up the length of the bottle. They have since discontinued it which is a shame — not sure if it was too expensive (kind of like skippy having to remove the peanut from the butter :) all things change. xx
Traci says
August 30, 2015 at 2:33 pmNo doubt Hollywood depicts the highlights well, don’t they? Thank you, Kelly! Chard is quite the colorful veggie. I was at the farm this week and got to do some UPick chard. I loved seeing how it grows and how to harvest it. It is gorgeous and it’s oh so good for us! Mmmmm a tarragon vinegar sounds fabulous… have you DIY’d it? Haha – Skippy – WTH!? :D
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
August 29, 2015 at 12:24 pmCongratulations on 25 years! A trip to the serene mountains sounds like the perfect way to celebrate with your loved one. And so glad you could bring the greenery home with you in this gorgeous salad. Hooray for savoring every last day of summer and all the wonderful produce!
Traci says
August 30, 2015 at 11:32 amAwhhh.. thank you Liz! No doubt it was a memorable trip. I lovvvee going to the mountains! I’ve got more Summer comin; happy to be on the train! :D
Leslie says
August 29, 2015 at 12:11 pmI’ve been wondering what to do with a huge bag of green beans I have — this looks amazing and I have almost everything already. Thanks for the inspiration!
Traci says
August 29, 2015 at 12:35 pmHooray for bags of green beans! I hope you enjoy it Leslie! :D
Sarah | Well and Full says
August 28, 2015 at 12:34 pmCongratulations on 25 years!! I really loved reading your words about your trip + your marriage. I’m at the point in my life where I’m starting to think about the future in that regard, and the thought of spending so much time with one person is terrifying but exhilarating! Do you have any tips on how to figure it all out?!
Traci says
August 29, 2015 at 12:34 pmThank you Sarah! Lots of patience, and compromise. Don’t settle. And be sure he can make you laugh… that’s one of the best parts! Figuring it all out is a personal journey for sure. You’ll do it! :D
Katalina @ Peas & Peonies says
August 28, 2015 at 10:00 amOh God, the photos of these salad are gorgeous, they do it justice, and you added peas, I love peas :) pinning!
Traci says
August 29, 2015 at 12:16 pmThank you my dear and for your Pin! :D :D :D
Julia | Orchard Street Kitchen says
August 28, 2015 at 9:35 amAww, happy anniversary to you and Rob, my friend! 25 years is such a special milestone. I love how you celebrated with a little trip to the woods, too. What a nice way to reflect on everything you’ve been through together. I wish you two many more years of happiness :)
And this salad…I must make it as soon as possible! Before I was vegetarian, one of my favorite meals was tarragon chicken. Strangely, that seems to be one of the few ways people use the herb. So I’m thrilled that now I have a new way to enjoy it! And with your perfectly blanched veggies, I can really see how this would be a delicious dish. I”ll be on the lookout for tarragon on my next trip to the market!
Traci says
August 29, 2015 at 12:16 pmYou always make me smile, Julia! Thank you! My Ma was just talking about trying tarragon with Chicken… I’ve just discovered tarragon so am looking for more ways to enjoy it. You’ll love this salad, Julia. You can even add more tarragon to garnish, which I did on my salad, but Rob protested. :D
Aysegul says
August 28, 2015 at 6:28 amOh wow Traci! Happy anniversary. Many more to come..
I know what you mean when you say your patience is stretched and strengthened.. It is all about compromise, isn’t it ?
I think, this green bean salad is the epitome of a summer salad made with the freshest ingredients. I love that you used swiss chard. I am a huge fan and use it whenever I can get my hands on.
Love the vinaigrette too.. Pinned!
Traci says
August 28, 2015 at 7:08 amAwh, thank you, Aysegul. Compromise, indeed, not always easy for sure! Oh, I know… Chard is one of my favorite greens because it is so mild, like spinach. I use it everyday in green smoothies while it’s in season! We love it! Thank you for your Pin! I hope you’ll get some chard soon! :D
Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life says
August 27, 2015 at 6:01 pmHappy Anniversary! 25 years of wonderful love is something worth celebrating for sure, and how beautiful that you met your number one in high school.
I cannot wait to make this salad to share with my sweetheart and I hope someday we are celebrating out 25th anniversary with the same affection you are.
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 10:01 pmThank you, Amy! Celebrating, indeed. I hope you and your’s enjoy it.. and I hope too, you’ll be toasting your 25th! It really feels good. :D
mira says
August 27, 2015 at 4:20 pmCongrats on 25 years Traci! Beautiful post, love it! The salad looks fresh and delicious! Gorgeous pictures! Pinned!
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 9:59 pmThaaank you Mira, that makes me happy!! Thank you for your pin too! :D
Izzy says
August 27, 2015 at 3:03 pmHappy Anniversary, Traci!!!! Wow, 25 years is a long time! That is so impressive! And so sweet that you guys are high school sweet hearts :) Going away to the mountains sounds like the perfect way to celebrate! I hope you guys had a lot of fun!
This salad is gorgeous and has so many great things going on in it! I’ve never actually cooked with tarragon before so I’m very interested!
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 9:59 pmThaaaank you, my dear! It IS a long time, I know!! :D Go find some tarragon, Izzy! You’ll love it!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
August 27, 2015 at 2:29 pmHappy anniversary to you and Rob! It’s amazing how fast time flies by – 25 years is such testament to love – I’m so happy for you both. As for this yummy salad, this is the kind of side dish that I can’t stop eating. I keep giving myself a little bit more, they a little bit more, then it’s all gone! Love it, T! Have a great weekend.
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 9:58 pmYaaay!! Thank you Geraldine! No doubt, time flies, and 25 years is really a loooong time. It’s hard to believe!
I’m with ya. I couldn’t stop on this one either. The green beans alone are so snappy and have the most tantalizing texture! Then there’s the dressing. You’ll love it!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
August 27, 2015 at 1:39 pmHappy anniversary to you and Rob! 25 is a big milestone! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip away. Some time in nature and the mountains sounds perfect right now. And I am with my high school sweet heart too! We’ve been together for 12 years, which sounds like a lot when you’re 29. But I love it. I always tell him I’m glad we met so young because I would have missed him. So many shared memories. We’ve practically grown up together. And glad that we grew up to be even closer. A lot can change in college, but we loved each other more than ever. The best!
This salad is simply gorgeous Traci! I just love all your recipes and photography : )
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 9:56 pmThank you Natalie! Hehe – I was just 29 too, Natalie, then I blinked! I totally get it though… ‘practically grown up together,’ no doubt you’ve and Shawn have something special. So many changes take place during college – Rob and I went through that together too. It’s a unique experience, for sure. Growing together is the best… agreed. :D
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
August 27, 2015 at 8:37 amHappy belated anniversary to you and Rob! Wow, 25 years, that is quite the fete! I am glad y’all had a great time in the mountains and it inspired you to make this delicious salad! This salad is not only gorgeous, it sounds incredibly scrumptious! I LOVE all the flavors and textures you packed in here! So Much Goodness! I will definitely be making this soon! Pinned! Cheers to you, my dear!
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 9:52 pmThaaank you, Cheyanne for your Pin and for your sweet toast!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
August 27, 2015 at 8:16 amCongrats on 25 years, Traci! Love this salad- you’re both right, eating green things just FEELS healthy for you :) And I’m totally loving the farm to table vibe :) Pinning!
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 9:51 pmThaaank you, Medha… oh yeah, farm to table is where it’s at! :D
Julie @ Cooks with Cocktails says
August 27, 2015 at 6:01 amBeautiful post Traci! Real lasting love is hard to find, especially in high school :) You guys are a couple of the lucky ones. Congrats on 25 years! Your mountain hike sounds like the perfect place to celebrate and reflect. Best wishes on the next 25 ;).
Oh and your salad looks so yum too, I’m making it this weekend for sure. Love everything about it!
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 1:02 pmHey, Julie – no doubt, and thank you for your sweet words! Y’all enjoy the salad! :D
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
August 27, 2015 at 4:49 amWow, congrats on 25 years!! My parents just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary a few months ago and I’m still amazed how much time that it is! :) And this salad? All that green seriously makes my heart go pitter-patter. Your photos are so vibrant and gorgeous, Traci! Pinned and definitely giving this one a go!
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 1:00 pmHow about that, young lady! You just wait.. it only seems like a long time. In reality, it’s a blink! Thanks for Pinning Sarah! You’re going to love this! :D
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
August 27, 2015 at 4:26 amHappy 25th Traci! I also celebrated my 25th this past June! Time flies when you’re having fun doesn’t it?! I spend all summer buying beautiful fruits and vegetables from the local farms near me and this salad will be on my list of things I must make! It is gorgeous! And that dressing! Cannot wait to try. Thanks for sharing this beauty! Have a great weekend!
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 12:58 pmWell, hey! Happy anni to you too!! No doubt time flies… Thank you Mary Ann! Enjoy your weekend too! :D
[email protected] Girl Gone Gourmet says
August 27, 2015 at 4:12 amCongrats on 25 years! This salad is beautiful and I love all the flavors —
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 12:57 pmThank you April! It’s easy too and so delicious to take on the go! :D
deb says
August 27, 2015 at 3:53 amHappy Anniversary, Traci and Rob!! What a beautiful tribute in words and photos. I’m so honored to contribute a bowl, which looks amazing holding this stunning salad! Thank you for the honor!
Traci says
August 27, 2015 at 12:56 pmThank you Deb! So enjoying your pots! :D