Cheesy Garlic Green Beans

 

I love, Love, LOVE that we are coming into fresh local vegetable season here in Nova Scotia.  I wait for this all year round and when it arrives I eat as many fresh and local veggies as I can!   Nothing tastes so good as something which has not long been picked and sent to the local farm market.  These fresh veggies beat the heck out of the vegetables we have available to us in the off months, many of which have been imported from thousands of miles away!

I was so excited to go into the Farm market yesterday and see fresh local green and yellow beans. Well, the yellow were all gone, but I loaded up on the green. There is nothing I love quite as much as fresh green beans! I could eat them until they come out my ears.  Steamed, raw, roasted, sauteed, pickled. You name it, I am in love with them!

 

This Cheesy Garlic Green Beans recipe is one that I adapted from a page called Cafe Delights. I was immediately drawn in by the simplicity of the ingredients required and the method of cooking.  

Tossed together with some garlic, olive oil and a bit of parmesan cheese, they are roasted just until crispy tender, helping to retain much of that beautiful green bean flavor and beautiful texture.    And then slathered with a bit more cheese and grilled until it is meltingly oozingly scrumptious.

Better than a green bean casserole because, "A" it uses fresh beans not tinned, and "B" there is no gloopy cream of tinned soup involved. Just simple fresh ingredients in delicious quantities and a simple cooking method.  Prepare to fall in love.

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE CHEESY GARLIC GREEN BEANS

A few simple ingredients. I love recipes like this one which really don't require anything out of the ordinary. I, personally, made a half recipe of this dish. Those are the measurements which you will see reflected at the end of each ingredient in the brackets.

• 1 pound (454g) fresh green beans, ends trimmed (1/2 pound/227g)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) light olive oil (1/8 cup/30ml)
• 2 TBS fresh parmesan cheese, shredded (1 TBS)
• 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced (2 cloves)
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt (1/3 tsp)
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper (1/8 tsp)
• 1 1/4 cup (about 150 grams) grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese (scant 2/3 cup/75g)

 

I think that using fresh green beans is integral to the success of this recipe. I don't think you would get the same texture or flavors by using frozen or canned green beans, which is why right now, during the growing season is the best time to enjoy this dish!

Grate your own cheeses.  Parmesan and other.  They add things to pre-grated cheeses to help them flow better.  I prefer to grate my own and know exactly what is in my cheese.

Try to use fresh garlic if possible.

I used a mix of mozzarella and strong cheddar cheeses to sprinkle over top.  You can use all mozzarella, or all cheddar if you wish.

 

HOW TO MAKE CHEESY GARLIC GREEN BEANS

This is a really simple way to prepare fresh green beans and is perfect for when the green beans start to ripen in the garden and you are looking for a bazillion ways to prepare them that won't have everyone moaning,  not Green Beans again??!!

Preheat the oven to 425*F/220*C/ gas mark 7. Lightly butter a baking sheet or a large baking dish with some nonstick cooking spray.

Wash the green beans, trim, pat dry and then arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet/dish.

Drizzle with the oil, garlic and parmesan cheese and then use your hands to toss everything together, evenly coating the beans. Season with salt and black pepper and spread out again.

 

Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until a lovely green color and crispy tender.

Remove from the oven and turn on the grill/broiler. Scatter the cheese blend over top, and return to the oven. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes or until the cheese melts and starts to brown.  Serve immediately.

 

This recipe is a really simple and delicious way to prepare green beans.  It allows the flavor of the green beans to shine through without them being overwhelmed by any of the other ingredients!

I don't believe it would be the same without using fresh green beans. So, don't be tempted to use canned or frozen. You just won't get the same flavor or texture!

I do believe that you could add some additional interest by sprinkling flaked toasted almonds or some other crunchy topping over top of the beans at the end.

 

This was an exceptional way to enjoy new season green beans. I loved it. I did cut the recipe in half. The green beans turned out lovely and crispy tender, with a beautiful hint of garlic flavor. The cheese melted on top made them incredibly moreish!

They were actually really good even without the cheese. I did find myself wondering how they would be with French fried onions on top. (You know the salad crispy ones.) It would be almost like green bean casserole without all the gloop!

 

I love my vegetables, almost as much, and sometimes more than the main course. Here are a few other vegetable sides that I enjoy that I think you might also enjoy!

NOVA SCOTIA HODGE PODGE - An old Nova Scotian recipe invented to help make good use of the early garden  vegetables.  Baby carrots, string beans, peas, potatoes, etc.  All are steamed and then warmed in cream and butter. The amount varies according to however many people you are feeding, and the amount vegetables you have ready to use. It is  rich and delicious. I could make a meal of this alone. 

CAULIFLOWER & BROCCOLI CHEESE - Cruciferous veggies are a diverse group that includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and, surprisingly, radishes. They have a wonderful affinity for pairing with cheese. This is quite simply one of my favorite ways to enjoy them!  

Yield: Serves 4

Author: Marie Rayner

Cheesy Garlic Green Beans

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 30 Min

These are fabulously delicious. Low carb as well and Keto friendly depending on what you serve them with. Quick and easy to make. The recipe can also be successfully divided in half. That's what I did and it worked out beautifully. I will put the half measures in brackets at the end of each ingredient for your convenience.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (454g) fresh green beans, ends trimmed (1/2 pound/227g)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) light olive oil (1/8 cup/30ml)
• 2 TBS fresh parmesan cheese, shredded (1 TBS)
• 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced (2 cloves)
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt (1/3 tsp)
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper (1/8 tsp)
• 1 1/4 cup (about 150 grams) grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese (scant 2/3 cup/75g)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425*F/220*C/ gas mark 7. Lightly butter a baking sheet or a large baking dish with some nonstick cooking spray.
2. Wash the green beans, trim, pat dry and then arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet/dish.
3. Drizzle with the oil, garlic and parmesan cheese and then use your hands to toss everything together, evenly coating the beans. Season with salt and black pepper and spread out again.
4. Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until a lovely green color and crispy tender.
5. Remove from the oven and turn on the grill/broiler. Scatter the cheese blend over top, and return to the oven. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes or until the cheese melts and starts to brown.
6. Serve immediately.

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