Baked Green Bean Fries and “Good Living”
Oh NELLY! There is a NIP in the air today! Yesterday it was 60 degrees at 8am and today it was 32. I’m sort of OVER the weather’s bi polar attitude lately. I just want it to STICK to one temperature. Preferably the colder one because I want some of this stuff 🙂
SNOW!! I love snow. I think it’s because when I was in the South for college, I missed it! Don’t get me wrong, 60 degree winters aren’t horrible, but I missed snow. I grew up with snow every winter and not having it for Christmas is pretty sad!
So, before we get to these…
I want to briefly talk about this…
Good living! To me, good living encompasses everything I love about life; food, laughter, love, friendship and family. A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Foodbuzz to write a post about how the Greek traditions of good living relate to my life. To me, good living is all about having fun, indulging, laughing and NEVER taking your life too seriously.
Life’s too short! You need to enjoy your life, but also take care of yourself, mentally and physically. Eat right, work out, take your vitamins, allow yourself to make mistakes, laugh, cry and spend time with those you love. To me, that’s “good living.” Nothing more, nothing less. And part of my leading a good, healthy life is eating healthfully. Which is where these darling little beans come back in!
Part of living a long, healthy life is eating right! Which means, finding new ways to eat your veggies. As you know, I’ve never had any issues getting enough vegetable consumption, but I know others (my husband) aren’t as keen to their flavor. So last night I decided to make one thing I know he loves (french fries) out of green beans! He absolutely adored my maple roasted green beans so I had a suspicion he would love these too.
I was right! He gobbled up the entire plate in record speed, less than 5 minutes! These fries are incredible (the 2 I actually got to eat)! They are crunchy, yet soft, spicy and savory. Instead of fries with your hamburger or alongside your chicken, make these. I promise. You have just found a new way to feed your kids (and picky husbands) their veggies.
BAKED GREEN BEAN FRIES
Yields: 16 green bean fries
Prep time: >10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- 16 fresh green beans, rinsed
- 3 tablespoons of flour
- 1/3 cup of bread crumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
How to Make Them:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a nonstick cooking sheet with olive oil. Set aside.
- Pour flour into one bowl. In another shallow bowl, beat egg. In another bowl, mix breadcrumbs with spices.
- Take green bean (cut in half if need be) and douse in the flour. Shake off any excess. Then dip into the egg, then completely douse in the bread crumbs. Place on the cookie sheet. Repeat with the rest of the green beans.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes or until browned and crispy.
Serve with low fat ranch dip and enjoy!
Nutritional information per serving (8 fries): 150 calories, 6 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein and 6 grams of carbohydrates.
As part of the Foodbuzz Featured Publisher program, I have been entered for the chance to win a trip to Greece courtesy of FAGE. You too can enter to win one of three trips to Greece by entering the FAGE Plain Extraordinary Greek Getaway here: http://www.fageusa.com/community/fage-greek-getaway
Thank you!