Ingredients

The following ingredients have 5 Servings
  • 1 pound green beans, (trimmed)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, (or more to taste)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons crumbled cotija cheese ((optional – you may substitute feta or omit to make it dairy free))

Instruction

  • Pour about 1 inch of water in the bottom of a medium pot and bring to a boil. Add the green beans and cover the pot. Steam the green beans for 3-5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
  • Drain the green beans and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process, then shake in the colander to drain completely. Spread the beans out on a kitchen towel to get rid of excess moisture. These steps can be done 1-2 hours ahead. The rest of the cooking should be done just before serving.
  • For this next part, turn on the vent or open the windows, it will get smoky! Heat a cast iron skillet over medium high for a few minutes to get it very hot. Pour in the olive oil; it will begin to smoke slightly. Quickly add the drained green beans to the skillet and turn the heat to high. Sear the green beans for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans have color and are slightly blackened in places. Remove from heat. Sprinkle the beans with fresh lemon juice, then add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Place the beans on a serving plate and sprinkle with crumbled cotija cheese. Serve warm.