Fried Green Beans

I really enjoy fresh green beans, however, fried changes things, I love, love, love them!  I think I pretty much feel that way about anything fried, but I really do love fried green beans, so I had to make a gluten-free version. :) I also had some asparagus in my fridge, and tossed those in as well, and discovered my absolute love for fried asparagus, as well.  So, I think you could coat about any veggie and it would taste fantastic! My recipe is adapted for this one, and is really so amazing.  And once again, from my lack of picture, you can tell I downed the plate before realizing I didn't take any pictures.  Sorry.

Fried Green Beans

Canola oil for frying

1 cup  all-purpose gluten free flour

1 cup  yellow cornmeal

1 tablespoon  salt

1/2 tablespoon  ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon  ground cayenne pepper

1 pound  green beans, ends trimmed

1 cup  So Delicious Coconut Milk

 

Directions 

Heat 2-inched of oil in a Dutch oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Dip green beans into milk, then dredge wet beans in flour mixture to coat. Then dip in milk again, and dredge with the flour mixture again. (I found that double dipping helped keep the coating on when it was fried)

2. Fry beans in oil, in batches, until golden and crisp, approximately 3 to 5 minutes per batch. Remove from oil, drain on paper towels, and serve warm with Fry Sauce.

 

Fry Sauce: equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise mixed together (you can experiment and add in garlic, relish, etc., but I'm lazy and just like my ketchup and mayo combo)

Green Bean and Mushroom Saute

Okay, here's another side dish that will work perfectly with your Thanksgiving feast.  No, it's not green bean casserole, but it's fantastic.  I had thought about doing a gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free version of green bean casserole, I saw plenty of recipes that would work, but you know what? The whole point of green bean casserole is that its a convenient dish, you throw a can of this in, with a can of that, top it with a can of fried onions, and ta da, it's a side dish.  Well, that all just got thrown out the window....the convenience is gone, so really is green bean casserole really that good? I really don't think its that fantastic, maybe I'm alone in this.  But I want simplicity, for goodness sake I have to make everything else from scratch, maybe I should try to simplify it all so I don't have a nervous breakdown.

So, I took the main elements from the green bean casserole: green beans, onions, and mushrooms and created this saute.  It's simple and delicious, and definitely lighter on the calories and fat. :)

Green Bean and Mushroom Saute

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup chopped onion
8 oz sliced mushrooms
1 clove garlic
salt and pepper to taste
4-5 cups fresh green beans

Directions
Heat oil over medium/medium-high heat.  Add onion and mushrooms, garlic, and salt and pepper.  Cook until onions and mushrooms have softened and cooked through.  In the meantime, steam green beans to a tender crisp.  Combine the mushrooms and green beans and cook for another 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.

This post was shared on Gluten Free Holiday Thursdays.