Green beans with roasted cashews & feta

These green beans with roasted cashews and feta are my absolute favorite new side dish. I want to eat them with everything! The toasty, crunchy cashews, the crisp, seasoned green beans and the feta are a combination you won’t be able to get enough of – plus it goes with everything!

Ingredients

• 80 g (1/3 cup) sliced cashews

• 1 tablespoon Happy Maple, Goût Riche

• 500 g (1 pound) green beans

• 60 g (1/4 cup) water

• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  

For the dressing

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (about ½ lemon)

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• 1 teaspoon of Happy Maple, Goût Riche

• 1 small-to-medium clove garlic

• Freshly ground black pepper
  

For the topping

• 60 g (1/4 cup) crumbled feta cheese

Preparations

1. Start caramelizing the cashews with maple syrup over medium heat. Cook stirring frequently (careful, they burn quickly). After 3 minutes, reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue stirring until they are fragrant and turning golden on the edges, about 1 to 3 more minutes. Transfer the cashews to a bowl to cool.

2. In the same pan, add the green beans, water and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are nearly tender, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the lid, raise heat to medium-high, and cook until the liquid evaporates, 2 to 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.

3. Meanwhile, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, maple syrup, garlic, black pepper, red pepper flakes and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.

4. Once the green beans are done cooking, whisk the olive oil mixture once more, then pour it into the skillet. Pour the cashews back into the skillet, and add about half of the feta, reserving the other half for garnish. Toss to combine, then taste and add more lemon juice or black pepper if necessary.

5. Transfer the green beans to a serving bowl or platter. Sprinkle the remaining feta and the torn basil leaves on top. Lightly grate some lemon zest on top, and serve promptly.

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