This is the easy side you need to serve on July Fourth in order to feel virtuous. Which is to say, this is the side dish that balances out all the burgers and hot dogs and potato salads and mayo-rich pasta salads — and don’t even get us going on the desserts — that you really want as you celebrate our nation’s independence.
You feel you need to serve something healthy. We get it. This is the dish. It’s simple. It’s do-ahead easy. And it’s versatile. Don’t care for green beans? No worry. Substitute broccoli, cauliflower or asparagus. They all work just as well in this simple, yet delicious dish. If you do it ahead of time (no more than a day), be sure to let it come to room temperature before serving.
Grilled Green Beans with Honey, Feta and Dill
Start to finish: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
2 pounds green beans, trimmed
Olive oil
3 tablespoons honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup crumbled feta
Fresh dill
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
Heat the grill to high.
In a large bowl, toss the green beans with just enough olive oil to lightly coat. Lay the green beans across the grate of the grill horizontally so that they don’t fall through. Grill, turning once or twice, for 6 to 8 minutes, or until lightly charred and tender.
While the beans grill, in small bowl mix together the honey, garlic and red pepper flakes. When the beans are done, pile them onto a serving plate. Drizzle the honey mixture over the beans, then sprinkle with feta cheese. Top with sprigs of fresh dill and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Nutrition information per serving: 130 calories; 40 calories from fat (31 percent of total calories); 4.5 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 10 mg cholesterol; 125 mg sodium; 20 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 15 g sugar; 5 g protein.
