Recipe: Nonna Testa's Green Beans (using olive oil, bread crumbs, and Romano cheese) (Cucina Amore)

NONNA TESTA'S GREEN BEANS

1 pound green beans, trimmed, cut in 2-inch lengths
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare an ice water bath in a large bowl.

Fill an 8 quart pot with 6 quarts of water. Bring the water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons salt. Add the beans and cook for approximately 3 minutes or until beans are tender. Drain the beans and place in the ice water bath until cool.

Drain the cooled beans and place in a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and toss the beans to coat. Add the bread crumbs, Pecorino Romano cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Toss thoroughly to coat the beans.

Spread beans out in a 1 1/2-2 quart shallow baking dish, trying to arrange the beans facing the same direction as much as possible.

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the bread crumbs are golden brown.

Remove the beans from the oven, drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil, if desired.

Servings: 6
Source: Ciao Y'all by Damian Mandola, Johnny Carrabba, John Demers, and Chris T. Sullivan