Skillet Charred Green Beans with Crispy Sesame Topping
Contributor:
Jenny Pauls
Catetories:
Side Dishes, Asian - Japanese, Chinese, Korean
Recipe:
OOOOOhhhhhhhh! Noticed this recipe name in a Cook's Illustrated email, but couldn't link to it without an account. Searched online and found a list of ingredients (& amounts), but no cooking instructions (it was a bonus "available free for 3 months" in the magazine). I found a reference to the original published recipe (from 3 years ago) and was able to put it together once I found my back issue (somehow I hadn't read it at the time). Tonight, after making it for the first time and stuffing as much of one recipe into me as possible, I have run to the computer to save it for posterity :-)
3 T sesame seeds
2 T panko
1 t ground Szechuan peppercorns
1.5 t vegetable oil
1.5 t toasted sesame oil
3/4 t kosher salt
1 lb fresh green beans, ends snapped off (or not, I suppose)
2 T vegetable oil
Put cleaned/rinsed green beans in a bowl and microwave for 6-12 minutes in 3 minute bursts, stirring between (8 total minutes in mine), until beans are tender. Remove to kitchen towel with tongs to drain (they don't have to be completely dry, just not drippy).
Meanwhile... mix first 6 ingredients in small bowl. Cook in 12" skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until light golden brown (5-7 minutes). Remove to small bowl and wipe out skillet.
Add 2 T vegetable oil to skillet (might try a touch less next time) and heat over high until just smoking. Dump in beans, shake into a single layer. Cook until beans start to char/blister, about 4-5 minutes. Stir and keep cooking... repeat until beans are soft and most have deep char marks. Remove to serving bowl and top with crispy sesame seeds. Stir. Taste... make the tough decision of whether your dining companions are worth of sharing these with. (Bryce made the cut :-)
Lovely hot OR just warm.
4x topping (to mix ahead of time)
3/4 c sesame seeds (80 g)
1/2 c panko (28 g)
2 T sesame oil
2 T vegetable oil
1 T salt
4 t ground Szechuan peppercorns (about 5 t whole)