Ina garten’s Crispy Garden Flat Beans With Pecorino: A Delightful Recipe

Sizzling summer gardens burst with vibrant flat beans that beg to be celebrated in Ina Garten’s rustic side dish.

Fresh green beans shine with a simple yet elegant preparation that speaks volumes about Mediterranean cooking.

pecorino cheese adds a salty, sharp note that perfectly complements the tender, crisp beans.

She understands how to turn basic ingredients into something extraordinary with minimal effort.

The recipe captures the essence of fresh, seasonal produce transformed by smart seasoning and technique.

Restaurants charge big money for dishes like this, but you can create restaurant-quality magic right in your own kitchen.

Each bite promises a delightful dance of flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 13 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 4

Must-Have Ingredients for Ina Garten Flat Beans With Pecorino

• Flat Beans: Crisp, vibrant green beans with a delicate texture that provide a perfect canvas for seasoning, select beans that are firm and free from blemishes or discoloration.
• Sea Salt: Enhances the natural sweetness of the beans, choose flaky, high-quality sea salt for a pure, clean flavor boost.

• Olive Oil: Adds a rich, fruity undertone and helps seasonings cling to the beans, opt for extra virgin olive oil for the most robust flavor profile.
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Delivers a warm, spicy kick that complements the beans’ natural sweetness, grind whole peppercorns for maximum aromatic intensity.

• Pecorino Romano: Sharp, salty cheese that brings a tangy depth to the dish, select a high-quality, aged version for maximum flavor complexity and smooth melting texture.

Cooking Gear for Ina Garten Flat Beans With Pecorino

• Large pot: Essential for boiling and cooking beans evenly.
• Colander: Needed to drain beans quickly after cooking.
• Serving platter: Used to beautifully arrange and present the cooked beans.
• Vegetable peeler or grater: Perfect for shaving the Pecorino Romano cheese.
• Wooden spoon or tongs: Helpful for tossing and mixing beans with seasoning.
• Measuring tablespoon: For accurately adding salt to boiling water.

Guide to Cooking Ina Garten Flat Beans With Pecorino

• Bean Preparation

Bring a pot of water to rolling boil with a generous pinch of salt. Gently lower fresh flat beans into bubbling water, allowing them to cook until they transform into a vibrant green with a tender-crisp texture.

• Cooling and Draining

Quickly transfer beans from hot water into a colander, letting excess liquid drain away. Spread beans across a beautiful serving platter, creating an inviting landscape of green.

• Flavor Enhancement

Drizzle a golden stream of extra virgin olive oil across the beans. Sprinkle a light dusting of sea salt and crack fresh black pepper, creating a delicate flavor profile that complements the bean’s natural sweetness.

• Cheese Finale

Generously shower shavings of Pecorino Romano over the beans, allowing delicate cheese fragments to cascade and nestle between the green stalks. Serve immediately while beans retain their warmth and the cheese starts to soften slightly.

Flavor Tricks for Ina Garten Flat Beans With Pecorino

• Select crisp, bright green flat beans without blemishes for the best flavor and texture.
• Use a timer when blanching beans to prevent overcooking, ensuring they remain vibrant and maintain a delightful crisp-tender bite.
• Experiment with different aged hard cheeses like Parmesan or Grana Padano as delicious alternatives to Pecorino Romano.
• Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds for extra crunch and nutty depth to the simple bean dish.
• Mix flat beans with other seasonal vegetables like roasted cherry tomatoes or sautéed zucchini for a more complex side dish.

Presentation Ideas for Ina Garten Flat Beans With Pecorino

• Rustic Italian Family Gathering: Serve these vibrant flat beans as a side dish during a cozy weekend lunch, inviting everyone to share and enjoy the simple, fresh flavors.
• Elegant Dinner Party Accent: Plate the beans on a beautiful white platter, letting the green beans and white cheese create a stunning visual contrast for sophisticated guests.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the salty Pecorino and bright beans with a crisp Pinot Grigio or a light Sauvignon Blanc, enhancing the dish’s delicate Mediterranean essence.
• Quick Protein Boost: Top the beans with grilled chicken or seared salmon to transform this side into a light, nutritious main course that feels restaurant-worthy.

Storage Notes for Ina Garten Flat Beans With Pecorino

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover flat beans in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping them crisp and fresh in the refrigerator.
• Quick Reheat Strategy: Warm beans gently in a skillet with a splash of olive oil to maintain their tender texture and prevent overcooking.
• Prep Ahead Technique: Trim and blanch beans a day before serving, then quickly finish with seasoning and cheese just before your meal for maximum flavor.
• Freezing Caution: Avoid freezing these delicate beans, as blanched vegetables can become mushy and lose their vibrant texture when thawed.

Crispy Ina Garten Flat Beans With Pecorino Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 13 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s flat beans with pecorino elevate simple summer produce into an elegant side dish. Crisp green beans mingle with salty pecorino, creating a Mediterranean-inspired companion that complements grilled meats or serves as a light lunch for you.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 to 5 oz (113 to 142 g) Pecorino Romano cheese, shaved, aged
• 1.5 lbs (680 g) Romano or flat beans, fresh, trimmed
• 1.5 tbsps olive oil, good quality
• 1.5 tsps sea salt or fleur de sel
• 0.75 tsps black pepper, freshly ground

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Instructions

1. Boiling Preparation: Activate a large pot with water, introducing kosher salt to elevate the vegetable’s inherent taste profile.
2. Bean Blanching: Immerse trimmed green beans into the effervescent water, executing a precise 3-minute cooking cycle to achieve a crisp-tender brilliance without compromising texture.
3. Cooling Technique: Swiftly extract beans using a slotted spoon and transfer to a colander, immediately interrupting the thermal process to preserve their vivacious emerald hue and textural integrity.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Artfully arrange blanched beans on a pristine platter, lavishly drizzling extra virgin olive oil to create a glistening, aromatic canvas.
5. Seasoning Mastery: Delicately cascade freshly ground black pepper and sea salt across the beans, ensuring a harmonious distribution that accentuates their natural essence.
6. Cheese Finale: Tenderly cascade gossamer-thin Pecorino Romano shavings atop the warm beans, allowing the cheese to subtly melt and infuse the dish with a luxurious, tangy dimension.
7. Presentation: Serve expeditiously, celebrating the beans’ vibrant temperature and verdant appearance as a sophisticated, elegant side offering.

Notes

• Prevent Overcooking: Blanch beans precisely for 3 minutes to maintain crisp-tender texture and vibrant green color, ensuring they don’t become mushy or lose nutritional value.
• Salt Boost: Add kosher salt to boiling water to enhance the beans’ natural flavor, creating a more depth and seasoning before final plating.
• Cheese Strategy: Use freshly shaved Pecorino Romano to add a rich, salty dimension that slightly melts when sprinkled over warm beans, creating a luxurious finish.
• Olive Oil Technique: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil evenly to coat beans, adding richness and helping seasonings adhere while providing a silky, glossy appearance.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg