Piyaz (Turkish White Bean Salad with Onion, Parsley)

White beans: These are the base of the salad, providing a creamy texture and mild flavor.

Onion: Adds a sharp, pungent taste that contrasts beautifully with the beans.

Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note to the salad.

Olive oil: A high-quality olive oil is crucial for the dressing, adding richness and depth.

Lemon juice: Provides acidity and freshness, balancing the flavors.

Salt: Enhances the overall taste and brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of heat and complexity to the salad.

When slicing the onion, try to cut it as thinly as possible to ensure it blends well with the white beans and parsley. A mandoline slicer can be particularly useful for achieving uniform, paper-thin slices. This will help the onion to absorb the dressing better, resulting in a more harmonious flavor throughout the salad.

• white beans - Substitute with chickpeas: Chickpeas have a similar texture and protein content, making them a good alternative in salads.

• white beans - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans are another type of white bean that can easily replace the original, maintaining the dish's integrity.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder flavor and can be used in place of onions for a subtler taste.

• onion - Substitute with red onion: Red onions add a bit of color and a slightly sweeter taste, which can enhance the salad.

• parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro provides a fresh, citrusy flavor that can complement the other ingredients well.

• parsley - Substitute with mint: Mint offers a refreshing twist and pairs nicely with the lemon juice and beans.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a mild flavor that won't overpower the salad.

• olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is neutral in flavor and can be used as a lighter alternative to olive oil.

• lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a good replacement.

• lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar offers a tangy flavor that can mimic the acidity of lemon juice.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty and umami flavor, which can enhance the overall taste of the salad.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct replacement, offering a slightly different mineral content.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor but with a slightly different aroma.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit more heat and can spice up the salad for those who enjoy a kick.

• Gently warm the white beans salad in a skillet over low heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating without breaking down the beans or wilting the parsley.

• For a quick reheat, microwave the salad in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.

• If you prefer a slightly warm salad, place the Piyaz in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm it in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes.

• To maintain the freshness of the onion and parsley, consider reheating only the white beans separately. Once warmed, mix them back with the other ingredients before serving.

• For a unique twist, lightly sauté the onion slices in a bit of olive oil until they are just softened, then mix them back into the salad. This adds a warm, caramelized flavor to the dish.

• Large mixing bowl: To combine the white beans, sliced onion, and chopped parsley.

• Small bowl: To whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper for the dressing.

• Whisk: To mix the dressing ingredients thoroughly.

• Knife: To thinly slice the onion and chop the parsley.

• Cutting board: To provide a surface for slicing the onion and chopping the parsley.

• Measuring cups: To measure out the white beans and olive oil accurately.

• Measuring spoons: To measure the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper precisely.

• Serving spoon: To toss the salad and serve it.

• Timer: To ensure the salad sits for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Use canned beans: Save time by using canned white beans instead of cooking them from scratch. Just rinse and drain.

Pre-slice onions: Slice the onion in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Pre-chop parsley: Chop the parsley ahead of time and keep it in the fridge to save prep time.

Make dressing ahead: Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper together and store in a jar for quick assembly.

Combine ingredients: Mix everything together when ready to serve to keep the salad fresh.