Description
This vibrant Radish Salad with Radish Top Pesto combines the peppery crunch of raw radishes with the sweet earthiness of roasted radishes and creamy navy beans. Topped with a bright, herbaceous radish green pesto, toasted pine nuts, and fresh mint, it's a refreshing and colorful salad perfect for make-ahead lunches or light dinners.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 1/2 cups cooked navy beans, drained & rinsed
- 9 roasted radishes, halved or quartered
- 2-3 thinly sliced red radishes
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1/4 cup radish green pesto (or any pesto)
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons shaved pecorino or Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Additional lemon juice (optional)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Dressing
- 1/4 cup Lemon Vinaigrette
Instructions
- Prepare the beans: In a medium bowl, toss the cooked navy beans with 2 tablespoons of the lemon vinaigrette until evenly coated and flavorful.
- Assemble the salad: On a serving platter, arrange the dressed navy beans, roasted radishes, and thinly sliced raw radishes evenly. Sprinkle the pine nuts and capers on top.
- Add the pesto: Dollop the radish green pesto generously over the salad components to distribute bursts of herbaceous flavor throughout.
- Finish and season: Drizzle the remaining lemon vinaigrette over the salad, then top with fresh mint leaves and shaved pecorino or Parmesan cheese if using. Adjust seasoning with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and extra lemon juice as desired before serving.
Notes
- The salad is ideal for preparing ahead of time as it contains no tender greens; add the fresh mint right before serving to retain its flavor and color.
- You can substitute radish green pesto with any favorite herb pesto if radish tops are unavailable.
- Roasting radishes mellows their flavor and adds a lovely texture contrast to the raw slices.
- Optional shaved cheese adds a savory note, but the salad is delicious even without it for a vegetarian option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
