MIXED BEAN WITH SCALLIONS SALAD

Mixed Bean with Scallions Salad image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 pound dried heirloom beans, such as white Aztec and black runner, picked over
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut crosswise into 4 pieces each
2 celery, cut crosswise into 6 pieces each
1 small onion, peeled and halved
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 dried bay leaf
3 sprigs fresh thyme, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped leaves
1 large sprig fresh rosemary, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped leaves
4 fresh sage leaves
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
6 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
2 1/2 pounds mixed fresh beans, such as baby green beans and green and yellow Romano beans, trimmed
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1/2 small shallot, minced
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
10 to 12 spring onions, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

Steps:

Rinse heirloom beans. Place in a large bowl of water, and let soak 8 hours or overnight. Drain.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add heirloom beans, carrots, celery, halved onion, garlic, bay leaf, sprigs of thyme and rosemary, sage, fennel seeds, red-pepper flakes, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cover; return to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, with lid slightly ajar, until beans are soft, 50 to 60 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt; stir well, then let beans cool in cooking liquid. Beans can be refrigerated overnight at this point.
Cook each type of fresh bean separately in boiling salted water until just tender but still firm, about 2 minutes. Remove beans from water with a slotted spoon, and plunge into ice water to stop the cooking. Repeat until all fresh beans have been cooked.
In a small bowl, combine both vinegars; add shallots and garlic. Gradually whisk in 4 1/2 tablespoons olive oil until mixture thickens. Whisk in chopped thyme, rosemary, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
Drain heirloom beans, and discard the vegetables and herbs. Combine all beans in a serving bowl. Gently mix in vinaigrette; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Lightly brush onions with remaining tablespoon olive oil. Cook on a medium-hot grill for 5 minutes or under the broiler for 8 minutes on each side, or until browned. Arrange grilled onions over beans, and serve.