VEGETARIAN

BEANS THAT ARE GREEN,GREENS THAT ARE BEANS…FRENCH BEANS

2008/08/27 / 16 Comments
“I came to love my rows, my beans, though so many more than I wanted. They attached me to the earth, and so I got strength like Antaeus.”
Henry David Thoreau

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From beans high on vodka, to beans of another kind…green beans or string beans. Meals are always a challenge. The need to introduce greens of any kind is usually on top of my agenda, but one runs the risk of the same thing mundanely showing up. I like to work string beans into the menu this way or that, because they are available the year through, especially in our HOT summer months that seem to drag on forever. The other perennial choice being spinach, but sadly the Popeye magic didn’t work on my kids for long.
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Green common beans are also called string beans, stringless beans (depending on whether the pod has a tough, fibrous “string” running along its length), or snap beans. Compared to the dry beans, they provide less starch and protein, and more vitamin A and vitamin C. The green beans are often steamed, stir-fried, or baked in casseroles.
This is one simple way & flavourful way of serving beans on the side…IMG 6149
French Beans with Bell Peppers & Onions (as adapted from the Indira Roderick’s recipe from the TOI, dated 18 Jul ’08) .
Ingredients:
French beans – 400 gms topped & tailed & cut into 2″ pieces
Onion – 2 large, sliced thickish
Yellow bell pepper – 1; julienned
Red bell pepper – 1 ; julienned
Garlic – 2-3 cloves
Freshly ground pepper
Sea salt
Olive Oil – 3 tbspscollage7
Method:
  • Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C.
  • Blanch the beans in a pan of boiling water for 4-5 minutes, drain & immediately plunge into ice-cold water. Reserve.
  • Toss the julienned bell peppers & onion slices in 2 tbsps of olive oil; season with sea salt & freshly ground pepper. lay in a single layer on a baking sheet & roast for 15-20 minutes, tossing in between, to ensure even roasting.
  • Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a pan, saute the chopped garlic for a minute, then add the blanched beans & stir fry for a minute till heated right through. Toss in the roasted peppers & onions & mix well.
  • Serve hot or at room temperature.

Another no fail way is a simpler & quicker one, which works like magic every time… IMG 4517Steamed Beans in Cream Cheese…a recipe from my Sis-in-Law
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  • All you need to is blanch the beans till tender crisp.
  • Drain & put into a large bowl. Toss in 1-2 tbsps of cream-cheese / cheese spread, season with salt & pepper…& you’re ready to go.

My third spin on green beans is an Indian stir-fry. Simple again…IMG 5623

  • Heat a little oil. Toss in 1 tsp each of cumin seeds & mustard seeds.
  • Put in chopped french beans, simmer for 4-5 minutes/ till crisp tender. Then stir fry till nice & dry with some roasted cumin powder. Season with salt. Garnish with fresh grated coconut if you like.

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How do you eat your beans???

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Beans that are green; greens that are beans…eat more beans!

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Posted by Deeba @ PAB

About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.

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16 Comments

  • bee

    2008/08/27 at 7:22 pm Reply

    thank you for the beans and cream cheese tip. i don’t like green beans, but i can live with this!!!

  • Kate / Kajal

    2008/08/27 at 9:07 pm Reply

    ooh this is a beans bonanza ! i love them all the 3 ways you’ve made them !
    gr8 pics … now i need to go make some beans 🙂

  • noble pig

    2008/08/27 at 10:38 pm Reply

    It’s like A bean fest. how wonderful as I am always trying to get everyone here to be more green!
    Thanks for these fabulous recipes!

  • Pearlsofeast

    2008/08/28 at 1:04 am Reply

    Yesterday I have picked up some fresh beans,love the exotic recipe of cream cheese with beans and also the tossed up salad.Lovely and enticing recipes.

  • Nags

    2008/08/28 at 2:22 am Reply

    The third one is something i try all the time. the stir fry. to make it more flavourful, i add a couple of crushed shallots too. try it if you like shallots 🙂

  • Proud Italian Cook

    2008/08/28 at 3:28 am Reply

    I would eat beans at your house any day Deeba! Everything looks so colorful and delicious!

  • Manggy

    2008/08/28 at 7:02 am Reply

    I think a twist of lemon would be great additions to all the dishes, Deeba! They all look really good.

    I prepare mine sauteed in butter and lemon, or I have a string bean recipe on my blog (a very old post) which the whole family enjoys– in Sa-Cha sauce.

  • Purnima

    2008/08/28 at 7:10 am Reply

    Deebaaaaaa, m back! What a visual treat it has been to be thru the posts I missed out on! Everything artistically done..this post is too beany 😀 Varieties in one post..too good, and loved the idea of steamed beans wt cheese! (Mumbai mirror July second week-cant recall date – had a fantastic paneer tikki recipe which i tried n was liked by all! Do try it out)

  • Purnima

    2008/08/28 at 7:16 am Reply

    Hey Deeba, Happy FIRST B-DAY to ur beauuuutifully done blog!It surely keeps me hooked every time u post something, n yes..ur latest profile pic is CHIC!

  • Aparna

    2008/08/28 at 1:44 pm Reply

    For a minute I thought you had made a cake with beans!:)
    Green beans is a favourite veg with my daughter and she’ll eat it anyway. Spinach is a no-no.

  • Rachel

    2008/08/29 at 5:53 pm Reply

    Green beans and cream cheese…nice..but I will stick to my simple beans and carrot stir-fry.

  • Jeanne

    2008/09/02 at 1:59 pm Reply

    Mmm, I love green beans, so I love all your recipe inspirations! You should also try roasting them with red onions and topping with toasted slivered almonds. Heavenly. There’s a recipe on my blog.

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