Charred Green Beans with Garlic and Pomegranate Seeds

The roasted flavour of the green beans with the pop of sweetness from the pomegranates will make these charred green beans with garlic and pomegranate seeds your new favorite! 

A few weeks ago I had the chance to get away from the city for a few days to celebrate one of my friend’s birthdays. Besides having the best weather, the weekend was filled with wine-fuelled fun, amazing food and even better company.

We spent most of our time going between the cottage and the beach, eating and drinking and reflecting on how much things have changed for all of us. We also made some sweet tote bags, because you can never have enough tote bags…

While cooking dinner on the Saturday night one of my oldest friends, Mary asked us how we should cut the green beans. It didn’t occur to me until that moment that there was more than one way to cut them (for the record, I trim the edges on BOTH sides of the beans). Apparently some people are single-side trimmers and some don’t trim the green beans at all. Whatever floats your boat, I suppose!

Those green beans got me thinking all about the different paths my group of friends and I have taken. Most of us grew up together. We spent many years wearing sailor suits while rushing to the canteen to get our “shop cookies”. We learned all the moves to High School Musical and depending on my mood I might admit to having gone to the HSM concert.

We laughed, we cried, we prom’ed and celebrated making it through the middle and high school years together. And then for many of us, we parted ways. Our paths diverged and some of us trimmed one end, both ends or no ends at all. We’ve kept in touch, we’ve drifted apart and we’ve each established lives for ourselves that are incredible in their own unique ways.

But despite our divergent paths, when we come together it’s like not a day has passed. I guess green beans are still great no matter how you cut them. And now that I’ve officially gotten sentimental over charred green beans, let’s get to cooking them…

What Does it Mean to Char Vegetables?

Charring food is a method of cooking where food is placed over a grill or heat source (like a cast-iron skillet) so that the surface of it burns or chars slightly. This really helps elevate the flavor of food while adding a smokey taste. Oftentimes a grill or direct fire is used, however certain foods make this challenging. For green beans you’re able to achieve the same smokey charred flavor when cooking directly on the stove-top on very high heat.

How to Make Charred Green Beans

When it comes to charred green beans the answer is all in the technique.

1. Make sure your pot or cooking dish (we like cast-iron) is super hot. This is essential. To test just pour a tiny bit of water into the pot and see if it sizzles. If you’ve got sizzle, you’re good-to-go
2. Ensure the green beans are not overcrowded- cook in a single-layer if necessary
3. Add the garlic at the end to make sure it doesn’t burn.
4. Top with balsamic vinegar, cook briefly and then top with your pomegranate seeds

Once you’ve got this technique down you’ll have the best charred green beans in no time!

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Like this recipe? Here are more sides you should try:

• Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
• Roasted Maple Dijon Carrots
• Watermelon Feta and Mint Quinoa Salad
• Shredded Brussel Sprout Salad