Name: Skillet-Roasted Green Beans with Bacon, Black Bean Garlic Sauce, and Tahini
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds green beans , trimmed; 1/4 cup water , divided; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 teaspoon table salt; 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion; 2 garlic cloves , minced; 2 tablespoons black bean garlic sauce; 2 teaspoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon tahini; 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon; 2 teaspoons sesame seeds , toasted

Why This Recipe Works

We wanted skillet-roasted green beans that were fully tender (not wet or mushy) and that had lots of caramelization. We also wanted a recipe that was quick and easy. Since green beans cooked with only dry heat (in the oven or just plain sautéing) tend to turn leathery by the time they brown, and those cooked with lots of water or steam never get much browning, we decided to use a hybrid wet/dry method. We filled a skillet with green beans; added water, oil, salt, and pepper; and then placed the lid on and turned the burner to medium-high to let the beans steam for a bit. Once the beans were bright green and nearly tender, we uncovered them to cook off any remaining water so that the beans would get good browning. Adding crispy, crumbled bacon; supersavory black bean garlic sauce; and a final drizzle of creamy tahini made these skillet-roasted green beans both memorable and truly irresistible.

Before You Begin

You will need a 12-inch nonstick skillet with a tight-fitting lid for this recipe.

Instructions

Combine green beans, 2 tablespoons water, oil, pepper, and salt in 12-inch nonstick skillet. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until beans are nearly tender, about 8 minutes, shaking skillet occasionally to redistribute beans.

Stir beans and continue to cook, uncovered, until water has evaporated and beans are just beginning to brown in spots, about 5 minutes longer.

Add onion and cook until onion is just softened and beans are spotty brown and fully tender, 2 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Off heat, stir in black bean garlic sauce, lemon juice, and remaining 2 table- spoons water until combined. Transfer to serving platter. Drizzle with tahini, then sprinkle with bacon and sesame seeds. Serve.