Spicy Grilled Green Beans with Harissa Vinaigrette
Elevate your vegetable side dish with this vibrant recipe for Spicy Grilled Green Beans with Harissa Vinaigrette. Inspired by Ted Allen's 'In My Kitchen', this dish features crisp-tender green beans that are briefly blanched to preserve their bright color and vibrant crunch. They're then grilled to perfection, imparting a smoky char that beautifully complements a tangy vinaigrette blended with North African harissa sauce. This versatile recipe can be customized with alternative heat sources like Sriracha or Tabasco, and even enjoyed without spice for a milder flavor. Serve these beans warm or at room temperature and transform any meal into a culinary adventure!
4
Servings
45
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Green Beans
1 (lb, trimmed)
Vegetable Oil
2 (teaspoons)
Red Wine Vinegar
1 (tablespoon)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 (tablespoon)
Harissa
1 (teaspoon)
Instructions
1
Preheat your grill or a large grill pan to high heat.
2
In a large bowl, prepare an ice bath by filling it with cold water and ice; set aside.
3
Fill a large saucepan halfway with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Generously season the boiling water with salt.
4
Add the trimmed green beans to the boiling water and blanch them until they are just crisp-tender, usually taking about 2 to 4 minutes.
5
Once the beans are tender, drain them and immediately plunge them into the prepared ice bath for 2 minutes to halt the cooking process.
6
After 2 minutes, drain the beans again and pat them dry using kitchen towels to remove excess moisture.
7
In a large bowl, toss the prepared green beans with vegetable oil to coat them evenly.
8
Using tongs, arrange the beans in a single layer on the preheated grill. Grill the beans for 3 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are lightly charred and tender.
9
While the beans are grilling, prepare the vinaigrette by whisking together red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, harissa, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a separate large bowl.
10
Once the beans are done grilling, add the warm beans directly into the bowl with the vinaigrette. Toss gently to combine so that the beans are well coated.
11
Serve the Spicy Grilled Green Beans warm or allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition Information
3.5
Fat
3
Carbs
0.75
Protein
1
Fiber
0.75
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main ingredient in this recipe?
The main ingredient is one pound of trimmed green beans.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
Is this Spicy Grilled Green Beans recipe vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegan as it contains no animal products.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, all the ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 45 calories per serving.
What is harissa?
Harissa is a North African spicy chili pepper paste.
What can I use as a substitute for harissa?
You can use Sriracha or Tabasco as alternative heat sources if harissa is unavailable.
How long should I blanch the green beans?
Blanch the beans in boiling salted water for 2 to 4 minutes until they are crisp-tender.
Why do I need to use an ice bath?
An ice bath halts the cooking process immediately, preserving the beans' bright green color and crunch.
How long should the beans stay in the ice bath?
Keep the beans in the ice bath for 2 minutes before draining.
What temperature should the grill be?
The grill or grill pan should be preheated to high heat.
How long do the beans need to be grilled?
Grill the beans for 3 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally until lightly charred.
What kind of vinegar is used for the vinaigrette?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of red wine vinegar.
What type of oil is used for the vinaigrette?
Extra virgin olive oil is used to make the vinaigrette.
How much fat is in a single serving?
Each serving contains 3.5 grams of fat.
Can I make this dish without spice?
Yes, the harissa can be omitted for a milder, non-spicy version of the dish.
Should the beans be served hot or cold?
The beans can be served warm or at room temperature.
How much protein is in this dish?
There is 0.75 grams of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much sugar is in the beans?
There is 0.75 grams of sugar per serving.
Do I need to dry the beans after blanching?
Yes, pat them dry with kitchen towels to remove excess moisture before tossing with oil.
What oil is used for coating the beans before grilling?
Vegetable oil is used to coat the beans for grilling.
Who is the inspiration behind this recipe?
This dish is inspired by Ted Allen's book, 'In My Kitchen'.
Is there fiber in this recipe?
Yes, there is 1 gram of fiber per serving.
What is the sodium content?
The specific sodium content is not listed, though salt is used to season the water and vinaigrette.
Can I use a grill pan instead of an outdoor grill?
Yes, a large grill pan works perfectly for this recipe.
When do I add the vinaigrette?
Add the warm beans to the vinaigrette immediately after they are finished grilling.
How many ingredients are required?
The recipe requires 5 main ingredients plus salt and water for boiling.
What texture should the grilled beans have?
They should be crisp-tender with a smoky char.
Are there any cholesterol-containing ingredients?
No, this recipe contains no cholesterol.