TIME: 20 MINUTES, PLUS SOAKING AND COOKING TIME IF USING DRIED BEANS
YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS8 ounces dried white beans or 2 (15- ounce) cans Great Northern or cannellini beans
Salt
2 bay leaves, if using dried beans
1 pound asparagus
1/2 cup tarragon leaves
1 teaspoon packed finely grated lemon zest
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Juice of 1 large lemon, plus more to taste
1/2 cup olive oil1. If using canned beans. drain and rinse. If using dried beans, soak in plenty of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and transfer to a medium pot. Cover beans by 2 inches with water and add 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and the bay leaves. Simmer until just tender but not at all mushy, about45minutes to 1-1/2hours, depending upon what kind of beans you’re using. Drain.
Salt
2 bay leaves, if using dried beans
1 pound asparagus
1/2 cup tarragon leaves
1 teaspoon packed finely grated lemon zest
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Juice of 1 large lemon, plus more to taste
1/2 cup olive oil1. If using canned beans. drain and rinse. If using dried beans, soak in plenty of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and transfer to a medium pot. Cover beans by 2 inches with water and add 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and the bay leaves. Simmer until just tender but not at all mushy, about45minutes to 1-1/2hours, depending upon what kind of beans you’re using. Drain.
2. Break off tough ends of the asparagus. Bring a medium pot ofsalted water to a boil and prepare a bowl with ice and cold water. Blanch asparagus for 1-1/2 minutes, or until just cooked through but still firm, then plunge into the ice bath. Let sit for 5 minutes., then drain. Pat dry and slice diagonally into 1/2-Inch pieces.
3. In a blender or food processor, combine tarragon, lemon zest, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, the black pepper and the lemon juice, and process until garlic is chopped. Pour in olive oil.
Process until mixture is well blended and bright green about 1 minute.
4. In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together beans, asparagus and dressing. Taste and add more lemon juice and salt if needed.
