Green Beans and Mint with Crispy Browned Butter Panko and Tahini Maple Dressing

Once in a while, there's a veggie dish that makes me forget about everything else on my plate. This is that dish. There's really no point of me making anything to go with these; as long as it's in sight it's the only thing I'll ever want to eat. Overboard, you might think, but just wait till you try it.

The still slightly crisp beans are coated in a sweet, creamy, and nutty (but nut-free!) dressing. Panko, tossed in brown butter adds even more nutty flavor and just the right amount of crunch, and the sumac gives this dish a slight citrus note.

My absolute favorite part of these beans is the mint. There's not much in here but just enough that you're left for a minute wondering what the heck that awesome taste is. It manages to stand out and compliment the beans all at the same time.

Have you ever cooked with sumac before? Sumac is a spice common in Middle Eastern cooking. It comes as a dried reddish-purple powder and has citrusy flavor. Some well-stocked grocery stores will carry it as well as most Middle Eastern markets.

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Green Beans and Mint with Crispy Browned Butter Panko and Tahini Maple Dressing

Green Beans and Mint with Crispy Browned Butter Panko and Tahini Maple Dressing

  • Author: Kristen Stevens
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 25
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: North American
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Description

These roasted green beans are tossed with a tahini maple dressing, tart sumac and crispy brown butter panko. It's one of my favourite green bean recipes!

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. green beans, washed and trimmed
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter (or oil to keep this vegan)
  • Ā¼ cup panko (if gluten free is important to you use a gluten free breadcrumbs)
  • Ā¼ cup mint, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sumac

For the dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons tahini*
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon water
  • 1 teaspoon ume plum vinegar*
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place the beans on the prepared baking sheet and toss them with the oil. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, or until they have just started to soften.
  3. While the beans are roasting prepare the panko. Heat the butter in a small frying pan over medium high heat until it is very frothy. Once the froth begins to settle down remove the pan from the heat and, using a spoon, remove the froth and discard it. Place the pan back on the heat until the bits in the bottom are nicely browned. Remove the pan from the heat and stir through the panko. Note: if you are using oil simply heat it and toss it through the panko.
  4. In a large bowl mix together all the dressing ingredients. When the beans are slightly tender but still have a bit of crunch remove them from the oven and put them in the bowl with the dressing. Add the panko, mint and sumac and toss everything together well.
  5. Serve immediately with a little extra sumac sprinkled over top.

Make ahead:

  1. You can prepare the dressing and panko up to a day ahead. The beans can be laid out on a baking sheet with the oil and kept on your counter, covered, for up to 8 hours. Put them in the oven to cook 10 minutes before you want to serve them.

Notes

Tahini is found in most grocery stores, near the peanut butter.

Ume plum vinegar can be found in some well-stocked grocery stores or online here.