Sunday, July 5, 2009

Roasted green beans with marcona almonds

This recipe was never supposed to be made. I ripped this particular page out of Bon Appetit for a different recipe that was on the front of the page. One day I was going through my recipe clippings, and the page was turned over so that the picture of these roasted green beans was facing up. I decided to give it a try, and I've made it a few times since then.

This is another really simple recipe that produces unique results. Green beans and onions are roasted at high heat and seasoned with lemon and herbs. Chopped marcona almonds finish the dish.

The first time I made the recipe, I tossed the raw green beans onto the pan and threw them in the oven. It tasted great, but the green beans turned an unattractive shade of drab green. I figured out that blanching the green beans before roasting allows them to keep their vibrant green color.

roasted green beans

63 comments:

Cathy said...

Yum! These look great Sara!

Dewi said...

I love Marcona almonds, although they are kind of more expensive then the regular almond. I guess it worth it, since I find the taste is more delicious then the regular almond.

noble pig said...

I have made this exact recipe many, many times and is a regular around here.

Soma said...

Oh WOW! love the colors.. & thanks for the tip of blanching the beans first. I have never bought the marcona almonds.

Suzy said...

That looks totally awesome. I saw some Marcona almonds for sale recently and now wish I had dished out the dough for them!

Manggy said...

Good call on the blanching. Such a simple dish, but it really brings out the freshness of the components. (Of course, I am a green bean lovah :)

La Bella Cooks said...

Such a great recipe! This has been a hit in my house before. Your photos are always lovely as well.

Sarah said...

Delicious and simple...Perfect for summer!

Anonymous said...

Sounds excellent! I will look for marcona almonds - not sure I've tried those yet!

Barbara Bakes said...

I've done the same thing with a recipe I've cut out. They look delicious!

Jennifer said...

I adore Marcona Almonds! YUM

Claudia said...

I have never cooked with marcona almonds - I tend to eat them before they find their way into a recipe. This sings summer and I love the idea of blanching them first. Lovely.

teresa said...

Great idea with the blanching, these look fabulous!

Christina Kim said...

i agree that blanching them is key to retain that color! marcona almonds are my absolute favorite - they are oily and crunchy and delicious. If only they weren't so expensive!

♥peachkins♥ said...

healthy and tasty! yumyum!

Katrina said...

These beans look delicious!

Selba said...

A wonderful dish!

Chef Fresco said...

Very unique recipe - looks good!

Delicious Dishings said...

This looks so good!! I've never roasted green beans. I usually just steam them. I can imagine they taste wonderful when roasted. I'm adding this to my to-make list!

Creative Classroom Core said...

Good Morning!
Great recipe!
I have a little award waiting for you over at my blog :)

Debbie said...

The green beans look delish. Thanks for the tip regarding blanching!

Jenna said...

I love any veggie roasted!

I've never tried or even heard of Marcona Almonds...I will have to look for them.

Your photographs are beautiful per usual!

Donna-FFW said...

Oh how gorgeous!! Love this side dish!!

Nutmeg Nanny said...

They look great!

Diana said...

Yep, this recipe has pretty much all my favorite things in it. A trip to TJs for Marcona almonds may be in order soon!

Hope you had a nice 4th!

Yasmeen said...

Looks absolutely stunning with almonds and caramelized onions :)

Annie said...

I love roasted green beans... Great tip to blanch them first.
I usually steam them a bit before roasting because I like the texture better!

Reeni said...

These look great! Love the texture and crunch from the almonds.

The Food Hunter said...

I'm so glad you made this recipe. It looks awesome. Thanks for sharing.

Chef E said...

What a lovely dish, and I always loved almonds with string beans, okay I live in the NE now and that is what they call them!

I will have to look for these, as restaurants kitchen buy cheaper versions, and I bet I can find them online or in Whole Foods? Wegmans?

The Fajdich Times said...

Sara these look great!

Deb in Hawaii said...

Gorgeous! I make something similar with regular almonds but never thought of using marcona almonds--wonderful idea.

pam said...

I've done that too, found recipes on the back of the chosen one, that ended up being even better than the original one!

Anonymous said...

I love this idea. YUM. Seriously YUM.

Stacey Snacks said...

Marcona almonds are so good.....also reminds me of the salad you and I made from Sunday Suppers w/ the dates & marconas....so good!

Robin said...

I love green beans with almonds and onions. It is so simple and elegant every time!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Mmmm, my guys really enjoy green beans..this would be a nice change from the norm for them.
~ingrid

Zoe said...

so beautiful!

NKP said...

Looks wonderful! I have just gotten into the habit of blanching too, makes all the difference in the world.

unconfidentialcook said...

Aren't roasted vegetables the best? We do it with everything now, even peas, and both my husband and daughter who hate veggies eat them without even a face or fuss.

Michelle @ Find Your Balance said...

that looks like an easy way to make an impressive looking dish! thanks for the tip about blanching.

Kerstin said...

I love green beans and this is such a great way to dress them up - yum!

maris said...

Sometime it's the best recipes that are made by accident :) I've never had marcona almonds but am eager to try them now!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I love green beans, this is a new way for me to eat them.

Melody said...

This looks like a wonderful side dish! I love any vegetable roasted...especially with onions.

The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

I roast a lot of vegetables, but I've never done green beans. I just bought some at the farmer's market this weekend and just steamed them and tossed them with sauteed garlic and oil. Now I wish I had tried roasting them. I'll have to pick up some more this weekend and try this.

Mmmm...marcona almonds

Pearl said...

green beans look wonderful!

♥Rosie♥ said...

This looks wonderful Sara! The colours are amazing I must remember your tip re-blanching!

Heather S-G said...

mmmm..this looks delicious...love green beans with almonds! I thought the onions were grilled chicken when I looked at it the first time...which makes me think adding a little grilled or roasted chicken would make this a perfect meal! :D

Sara said...

This recipe was definitely fate. It looks delicious.

Olga said...

Pretty! I bet you could do the same with asparagus.

Ana Powell said...

Hi Sara
Delicious green beans. Beautiful colours and great photo x

Juliana said...

These green beans look terrific...love the simplicity of it and yet so yummie!

Judy said...

Green beans are my fave veggie, but I've not had Marcona almonds. I love roasted veggies, any kiind.

Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog said...

A recipe that never should be existed..like a movie title, impossible to turn out wrong with green beans, onions and herbs :)

Cheers!

Gera

alexandra said...

Oh yum. Marcona almonds on anything would make me happy. I love the combination of green beans and almonds and haven't made it yet this summer. Soon I will!

Marta said...

Good call on the blanching, I'm glad it helped preserve their appetizing colour!
I don't think I've ever had a marcona almond... am I missing a lot??

Melissa said...

Yummy, that looks great! Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Lori Lynn said...

Fabulous! Love marcona almonds too.
LL

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

This is so funny. The same thing has happened to me when I've saved a page from a magazine. I end up making an entirely different dish.

I too have tried roasting green beans and they turned out brown. I'm glad you've solved the problem.

I've been traveling with no internet access and I've missed everyone. It's so nice to be back.
Sam

Becky said...

This is one of our favourite green bean recipes. Yours look so lovely, I'd like to eat them right now!

nora@ffr said...

love marcona almonds!! love this simple dish sara! beans are just perfect :)

Bill Medifast said...

This is such a delicious recipe Sara. I tried it last week and everyone loved it. Such a good meal and it was even child friendly... weird.

Hope to see you posting again soon. You definitely have a talent.

Bill M.