Green beans, also called string beans, are available year round but their peak season is from May through October. This slender little vegetable is very popular during the holidays which is why I’m doing this article now, we are fast approaching the biggest holiday season of the year. It’s a traditional side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. It makes its presence known on just about every table everywhere. But don’t limit your intake of these fabulous little ones to just the holidays. Packed with vitamin C, fiber and other great nutrients, this vegetable should be a staple in your kitchen.
I will now introduce you to yet another simple recipe. I’d like to first add that I am not a fan of the traditional “green bean casserole”, no offense to anyone. I am however a HUGE fan of roasting everything I can possibly fit into my oven! Roasting is not only easy but in my humble opinion, it brings out the best flavor from your foods. One added plus is that you avoid drenching your food with extra ingredients therefore avoiding extra calories, perfect for the diet conscience. And this recipe calls for just that, flavorful and crisp Roasted Green Beans and Onions. So let’s get cooking!
The Star Ingredients:
- One 2 lb. bag of fresh green beans, pre-washed and ready to use
- 1 Large Vidalia onion (cut the onion in half then slice to make half moon wedges)
- extra virgin Olive Oil
- generous amount of Kosher salt (try not to recreate the Dead Sea though)
- freshly cracked black pepper
- freshly grated good quality Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and place rack in the middle position. Make sure to pat dry your beans, otherwise you will have to extend the cooking time if they are wet. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spread the beans and onions evenly.
- Drizzle liberally with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Make sure to coat evenly, use tongs to toss. Place in the oven and roast for 30-45 minutes or until brown with crispy edges.
- Once the beans are done, transfer to a serving bowl or plate. Grate the parmesan cheese over the beans and enjoy!
This is just one of many simple ways you can cook green beans. Sometimes I like to add walnuts and chopped bacon or cloves of garlic. I will add the bacon and walnuts 10 minutes into the cooking time. The bacon adds a wonderful flavor and additional crunch while the walnuts provide a subtle nutty taste that is easy on the palette. I alternate between onions and garlic since they both provide a wonderful sweetness to the dish. And during the summer months I like to drizzle homemade lemon vinaigrette for a tropical burst.
Experiment with this versatile veggie and let me know how you did! Be sure to subscribe to my blog for more popular recipes that I turn into simple dishes.
