We’re celebrating the arrival of summer with a bumper crop of slender, tender green beans. Picked young, they are best simply prepared to highlight their sweet flavor and crunchy texture. Blanching brings out their vibrant green color, then toss to coat with this quick, light, Thai-inspired sauce and you have an impressive, sassy side that has the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and umami to accompany fish, grilled meats, or with brown rice for a delicious vegetarian dish. Fresh green beans are in the markets, so I’m declaring Green Bean Week with this being the first of three quick, simple + seasonal green bean dishes from She’s Cookin’s kitchen.
After spending the better part of the past two weeks at the hospital, our little family was grateful and relieved to be together - the Young Baker home from college for the summer and Don on the mend; able to spend a quiet weekend at home celebrating Father’s Day with our fur babies who were feeling neglected with all the comings and goings.
Months of dining hall food for the Young Baker, and what the hospital considers a low-sodium, heart healthy options for Don, meant my home-cooked meals were welcomed with almost giddy enthusiasm by both – which is what fuels my desire to keep on cookin’ 
Besides reigning over the kitchen (until tomorrow when I leave to visit my mom), I’m trying to catch up on my blog reading and rev up the creative juices; as my fellow bloggers know, life can sometimes get in the way of blogging.
Thai-Inspired Green Beans with Coconut Oil
Serves 3-4
1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed
1 roasted red bell pepper, skin removed
For the sauce:
¼ cup extra virgin coconut oil*
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon tamarind paste
1 tablespoon sesame oil
red chili pepper flakes
½ cup toasted slivered almonds
1. Half the red pepper lengthwise and roast at 450 degrees in the oven or toaster oven until the skin is blackened. Remove and place in a bag or wrap in aluminum foil. Allow to cool and then peel off the skin.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Transfer green beans to water and blanch for 2 minutes. Remove beans using a slotted spoon and place in an ice bath to stop the cooking.
3. Melt the solid coconut oil in a small saucepan over med heat or in the microwave. Whisk in the fish sauce and tamarind paste. Using the same pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat, sprinkle in some red chili pepper flakes, add the beans, red pepper and almonds, pour in the coconut oil sauce, using tongs to toss to coat the beans and mix all ingredients together .
*Note: Once considered a villain because of saturated fat, coconut oil contains no trans fats and the type of saturated fat it contains is in the form of lauric acid, now the darling of the health food world, read more about it in this N.Y. Times article.
Enjoy
You might also like: Green Beans with Blue Cheese and Walnuts and later this week: Moroccan Chicken with Green Beans!
Welcome the summer solstice and make it a fabulous week!
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This is perfection, darling!
Sorry to hear about your husband, Priscilla, but I’m glad he’s better.
I love green beans so I’m looking forward to the upcoming posts. I especially like this one because you used tamarind paste in it. I’ve been looking for other uses for my container in the fridge and reading this post just gave me a “duh” moment. Thanks for the inspiration!
So glad to see another recipe that uses tamarind paste! I had no idea what else to do with mine that’s just sitting there. This looks refreshing and delicious.
These beans looks great. I have never used Tamarind paste before – I’ll have to give this a try! Safe travels!
Such a lovely recipe…and I’m so glad to hear that your sweet man continues to mend. Ryan loves green beans, and I want to make this for him soon. Thank you for taking the time to share a moment of your world with me…I was wishing I could take a bite out of your photograph! I hope you are having a wonderful, joyful week. Many blessings and much love!
Priscilla, your garden beans look so fresh and appetizing! Quick, simple, and fresh are the best! So more beans please!
I am really glad to hear that your man is on the mend.
Angie
Priscilla, so happy to hear your husband is doing much better
The garden looks amazing, wish I had one too. All i have is a couple of plants and herbs in pots
Love your simple yet elegant dish, great way to celebrate summer.
Wishing you a wonderful time while visiting your Mom
Looks delicious! And your garden is sure coming along nicely, I’ll have to hop the fence and help my self
Priscilla – SO HAPPY everyone’s home, especially Don.
I picked up a bag of green beans at the Farmers’ Market this weekend. It’s still sitting on the counter until I can figure out what to do with it. Maybe this?
And yes, I know what you mean about life getting in the way of blogging. Hope those creative juices are workin’ – and hope to see you when you get back!
[K]