Green Bean Fries

Ok so green beans are one of my favorite veggies to eat - they're simple, quick, and really good for you. Unfortunately, I like to make them the same way every time I eat them - and while they're divine with a little butter and garlic salt I decided we needed to spice things up a bit. On one of my many hours stalking around on Pinterest I came across a photo of green bean fries and remembered that I had actually tried this at a stateside restaurant years ago! They're delicious and it's like eating a french fry but just with more nutrients and less guilt you know haha. So that was it, I was sold! I figured it would be like making breaded chicken - basic egg wash, breading, and a few spices here and there so I went for it. And the final result - AMAZING...in fact it was so amazing that while I intended to share the portion with Zach I have to confess not a single bean was left for him when he got home haha oops you snooze you lose - well ok in his case he was working not snoozing but you get my drift...alright, enough hype let's do this!

Ingredients:
1 lb of fresh green beans
2 eggs
1/4 cup of all purpose flour
1/2 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garlic salt
Red pepper flakes (optional if you like a little heat like I do)

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees so it's ready to go when you are.

Ok first things first - trim the tips off of the green beans - I know it's tedious but it makes a difference. While you're trimming bring a pot of lightly salted water to a gentle boil. Once the water is boiling gently place the beans into the water and stir so that they are fully submerged (do this for about 3-4 minutes, depending if you like your beans with a crunch to them or not). Once they're cooked to your liking strain the beans from the pot and immediately place them in an ice bath (literally just a bowl with cold water and ice in it). This will stop them from cooking further and becoming mushy. Once they've cooled down, pat them dry with a few paper towels and get your dipping stations ready lol.

In one bowl place the flour, a sprinkle of garlic salt and crushed red pepper and mix with a fork. In another bowl place the 2 eggs, lightly beaten, with a sprinkle of garlic salt and crushed red pepper. And in the third bowl place the breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic salt and crushed red pepper and mix thoroughly.

From here take one bean at a time (don't go getting all crazy and dumping 5 beans at a time it will be a HOT mess). Dip the bean in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then the breadcrumb and then place it on to a cooking sheet. This will get messy so you can use a different fork for each bowl if you'd like or just go for it - but know your hands will be dirty lol. Once all of the beans are coated and on the baking sheet place them in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. (My oven is AWFUL so it takes much longer than a real oven would, but you can always pull a bean out after 15 minutes to see how it's cooking.)

This recipe is really simple, incredibly flavorful, and healthy too! Enjoy!!!

Oh and remember to share - or not haha.

Pictures:

 Blanching the beans - they look so pretty!

 Oh ya...I ate this entire tray...Oops!

I baked a little chicken breast and whipped up this delicious dipping sauce courtesy of Pinterest - delightful!!