Garlic and Sesame Green Bean Salad

Ingredients:

This green bean salad sounds "ok" on paper - but the flavor is incredible - the garlic and sesame oil combine to make it explode in your mouth. It's also very easy to make.

1 pound green beans
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more if you like heat)
2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
2 large cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons crushed roasted peanuts
Salt and pepper to taste (1/2 tsp each or so)

Step 1:

Gather your beans into bunches and trim off both ends.

Step 2:

When you're done they should look something like this:

Step 3:

Cook your beans. I prefer steaming. I put water in a pan and have a steaming basket. If you can't steam you can boil, just don't overdo it. Your beans should still be somewhat crunchy when they are finished either way you choose to cook them. It only takes five to ten minutes once you get the steaming going.

Step 4:

While the steaming is going on, chop your tomatoes in half.

Step 5:

Gorgeous. All chopped in half.

Step 6:

Mince your garlic.

Step 7:

When the beans are done, remove them from the heat. They'll be bright emerald green and delicious.

Step 8:

Give your beans a chill in the fridge.

Step 9:

Crush the peanuts. Mortar and pestle works well, or you could just use a coffee grinder or food processor.

Step 10:

Put all the other ingredients with the garlic and peanuts in a bowl.

Step 11:

Whisk together.

Step 12:

Toss everything together to coat evenly.

Step 13:

Chill thoroughly. It really needs to be cold. Makes it taste really fresh.

Step 14:

Plate your green bean salad and serve. Perfect!