While green beans used to be a hard sell in our home, Eric is coming around to having them more often since I am (and always have been) a fan of them. Canned green beans were what I grew up with, but now we like to use fresh green beans and add different flavors and textures to them.

This version has an Asian flair to it from the soy sauce, sesame oil and sesame seeds. The vinegar and mustard contribute some spiciness to the beans. This dish can be served warm or cold, but I tend to prefer my vegetables warm as opposed to chilled. These green beans will make a wonderful accompaniment to the ham we make for Easter in a few weeks!

Sesame & Spicy Mustard Green Beans

Sesame & Spicy Mustard Green Beans (adapted from allrecipes.com)  Total Time Required: 48 minutes, Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 8 minutes, Chill Time: 30 minutes, Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cold water
• 1 -1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook uncovered until bright green, about 3 minutes.

Cook the green beans.

Drain in a colander and immediately immerse the beans in ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain and transfer the beans to a large bowl.

Stop the cooking by plunging the beans into a bowl of ice water.

Mix the mustard powder and cold water together in a small bowl to make a paste. Stir in the vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, sugar, and salt.

Combine the ingredients for the mustard dressing.

Pour the mustard paste mixture over the green beans and toss to coat.

Add the dressing to the beans.

Serve warm or chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Serve the green beans warm or cold.

Warm or cold, these green beans are tasty!  ~Linda

Sesame & Spicy Mustard Green Beans (adapted from allrecipes.com)  Total Time Required: 48 minutes, Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 8 minutes, Chill Time: 30 minutes, Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cold water
• 1 -1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook uncovered until bright green, about 3 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately immerse the beans in ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain and transfer the beans to a large bowl.

Mix the mustard powder and cold water together in a small bowl to make a paste. Stir in the  vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, sugar, and salt.

Pour the mustard paste mixture over the green beans and toss to coat. Serve warm or chill for 30 minutes before serving.