Grateful Grits

My family’s love for Asian cuisine has inspired us to explore cooking Asian-inspired recipes, and this particular dish has become a beloved favorite among my children. Its simplicity in terms of ingredients and preparation makes it truly delightful to create. These Asian-style green beans have earned a special place in our culinary repertoire and are remarkably easy to assemble. We often serve this alongside Miso-infused risotto and our Asian-inspired pork tenderloin, resulting in a perfectly balanced and impressive meal that’s certain to captivate any guest’s palate.

To begin, it’s important to address the green beans. Trimming the green beans involves snapping off their tips, a straightforward task that prepares them for the cooking process. Moving forward, blanching the green beans is the next step. Take a large saucepan and fill it with water, adding a tablespoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil and carefully introduce the green beans, ensuring they are fully immersed. Allow them to cook for approximately six minutes. While the beans simmer, prepare a mixing bowl filled with ice water and place a colander in the sink. Once the beans have cooked for the designated time, drain them using the colander and swiftly transfer them into the ice water. After they have cooled, drain them once more in the colander. This blanching technique partially cooks the beans while preserving their texture, with the ice water halting the cooking process immediately.

In a cast iron pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add a teaspoon of minced garlic and sauté for about a minute, infusing the oil with its aromatic essence. Gently introduce the blanched green beans to the pan, rolling them to coat them in the flavorful oil. Continue to stir and move them as they soften, a process that should take roughly ten minutes.

As the beans cook, you can prepare the butter miso mixture that will elevate the dish’s taste profile. Begin by gently melting four tablespoons of butter in the microwave for thirty seconds, ensuring it becomes soft without becoming liquid. Stir the softened butter using a fork until it achieves a smooth consistency. Introduce a quarter cup of miso paste to the butter and thoroughly combine the two components.

Once the green beans have reached a softened state, integrate the butter miso mixture into the pan, ensuring the beans are evenly coated with this delectable blend. Allow the mixture to cook together for another five minutes, allowing the flavors to meld seamlessly.

With your culinary creation now perfected, it’s time to serve and savor the delicious results. This dish’s harmonious balance of flavors and textures, combined with its straightforward preparation, makes it an ideal addition to any meal. Whether as a standalone side dish or part of a larger Asian-inspired feast, these green beans are sure to impress and satisfy.

I wanted to thank Kade Beasley for taking these photos. Please check him out for your photo needs!

Miso Green Beans

Ingredients

1 lb. of green beans                                  

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tbsp of salt                                               

4 Tbsp melted butter

¼ cup of miso paste

Directions

1. Blanch the green beans in a large saucepan with 1 tbsp of salt.
2. Mix the butter and miso paste together and set aside.
3. Heat a cast iron on medium heat and add olive oil. Sauté the garlic for one minute.
4. Add the green beans coating to the oil for about ten minutes or until they soften.
5. Pour the butter miso mixture onto the green beans and coat them for about five minutes.
6. Serve and enjoy.