Hello fellow foodies!
I’m calling myself out on the epic fail that is my adventures in food blogging. It would seem a simple concept: cook, shoot and write. Well, I have been cooking and dutifully taking my photos. I have three great meals saved on my camera, but that last step is just killin’ me Smalls!
However, now I am here and fully prepared to spill one of the recipes. Ladies and ‘gents I proudly present: Spicy Green Beans with Caramelized Onions, a truly delightful side-dish.
Ingredients (serves 1)
1 cup fresh green beans, washed and ends trimmed
1 small white onion, sliced into 1/2 moons about 1/4 inch thick
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil (or whatever oil you have on hand)
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. dried chili pepper flakes (more or less depending on your heat preference)
salt & black pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese for topping
Tools
10 inch saute pan
spatula
Steps
1. Heat oil over low heat. Add onion. Allow onion to brown and caramelize for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. I know it takes a some time, but caramelized onions are like the bacon of the vegetarian world — they go with EVERYTHING! Here’s a good video demonstration.
2. Add in green beans. (Note: I did not blanch them first because I like a really crisp green bean. If you want a softer veg then put the beans in boiling water for 2 to 4 minutes. Remove beans and immediately put them into an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. That is blanching or flash-cooking.)
3. Saute the beans and onion together until the beans soften, about 10 minutes.
4. During the last few minutes of cooking, add the chili pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste. Allow the spices to cook with the beans so that the beans and the oil pick up the flavor.
5. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, serve warm and enjoy!
Question: What are some of your favorite side-dishes?
