Monday, February 7, 2011

'Butter' Green Beans with Cashew Nuts

I made these green beans some time last week, and James and I totally loved it. When James' dad came over yesterday, I decided to make them again as an accompaniment to my oven-baked fish. The green beans were so crunchy and flavorsome; the nuts, 'butter' and balsamic vinegar added an extra 'oomph' to it. James' dad really enjoyed it, and even asked me for the recipe:)

This recipe was inspired by one of my favorite blogs, Steamy Kitchen.While the original recipe called for the use of browned butter, I substituted it with gluten-free vegan 'butter' and it worked out perfectly. If it tasted so good with vegan 'butter', I am pretty sure it will have tasted even better with the real deal. For those who do not have any dietary restrictions, do feel free to use butter:) This is my new favorite way of cooking green beans; it's simple, quick and tasty, just like all my other favorites.

'Butter' Green Beans with Cashew Nuts

Inspired by Jaden from Steamy Kitchen


Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup raw cashew nuts, coarsely chopped
  • 300g green beans, ends trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons butter (I used Nuttelex, a vegan spread)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large onions, very thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper


Directions

  1. Toast chopped nuts in a pan over medium heat for about 5 mins until nuts are lightly browned. Set aside.
  2. Bring 1 cup of water to boil over medium heat. Blanch green beans by boiling it in water for 3 mins, then rinsing it immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process. The beans should be crispy and crunchy, rather than soggy.  
  3. Add the 'butter' to a heated pan (over medium heat), and let the 'butter' melt and bubble. Once the butter melts, add onions and garlic and saute for about a minute. 
  4. Add  balsamic vinegar and the green beans. Stir to make sure beans are well coated with balsamic vinegar and 'butter'. 
  5. Season with salt and pepper (I love adding lots of pepper). Stir in toasted nuts. Enjoy!


What is your favorite green bean recipe?


4 comments:

skinny latte said...

I love green beans! My favourite way to eat them is similar to how you've done them! I remember in the 80s my mum used to do them with flaked almonds at her dinner parties ;) I remember they also used to put bundles of beans together and wrap them in bacon and secure with a toothpick.

I think adding sesame oil to any green elevates them to new levels of delicousness too.

Kayla said...

Green beans wrapped with bacon - that sounds like an awesome cocktail party idea! Thanks for the sesame oil idea:) I'm currently looking for new ways to eat my favourite greens this year !!

Hannah said...

What a gorgeous photo! And a tasty-looking recipe, of course. I've become so used to using nuts in desserts, I'd forgotten they can be amazing in savoury dishes too!

Kayla said...

@Hannah : Thank you! Yes, nuts are magical! They make both sweet and savoury dishes taste so good:)

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