Oven Roasted Green Beans

If you are a green bean fan, this is the season to find them at their freshest from local farms at markets all over town. It's simplicity makes it great on its own, but can be changed with spices or added flavors for the perfect side dish to any meal.

Fresh and Seasonal Ingredient:

• 1 1/2 lbs. fresh green beans, rinsed and stem-end trimmed, leaving pointy ends intact

Pantry Items:

• 1 1/2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. grey salt

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Treat a large cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, toss green beans, olive oil and salt. Pour onto the pan and spread evenly into a single layer.
• Place in oven. After 6 minutes stir the beans and rearrange in a single layer. Roast for another 6 to 10 minutes or until the beans begin to brown slightly.

Serves 4

Notes:

Try this for a variation: along with the olive oil and salt, add the zest and juice of 1/2 lemon, 1/2 tsp. granulated garlic, and a couple of cranks of fresh black pepper.

You can use frozen green beans in this recipe. The beans may be a little softer, but the flavors are still terrific.