Roasted Green Beans with (Optional) Balsamic Syrup and Feta

Roasted Green Beans with Balsamic Syrup and Feta

Have you ever roasted your green beans? They are delicious this way! Topped with sweet, tangy balsamic syrup and salty feta, this is a standout dish and would be perfect for a holiday potluck.

OR, leave off the toppings and simply make roasted green beans. I can see myself doing this often since this is one vegetable that goes down easy around here!

But, if you find yourself with a few extra minutes and the inclination, making balsamic syrup just requires simmering some balsamic vinegar until it reduces into a syrup. It has a powerful flavor so it only takes a little drizzle!

You will likely have a bit leftover which would go perfectly with meat, over greens or with another vegetable – I’m thinking salad topped with chicken and a little balsamic syrup would make a wonderful lunch!

Roasted Green Beans with Balsamic Syrup and Feta

Serves 4-6

6 cups fresh green beans, trimmed
1T olive oil
1T melted ghee or butter
salt & pepper
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
3T feta cheese, crumbled (or more, to taste)

1. FOR ROASTED GREEN BEANS: Preheat the oven to 400. Toss the beans in the oil and butter. Sprinkle in a bit of salt and pepper, but remember that most of the saltiness in this dish will come from the feta.

2. Place beans in a roasting pan and bake for 22-30 minutes, until some beans begin to brown. Let cool for a minute, then place into a serving dish.

3. BALSAMIC SYRUP: While the beans are cooking, gently simmer vinegar in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes or until it reduces to about 1/3 of its original volume. Take it off the heat and cool a bit. As it cools, it will become more syrupy.

4. TO ASSEMBLE: Please DO NOT drizzle all of the syrup onto your beans. Just drizzle about 2 teaspoons to start and add more if you’d like. It has a very strong flavor. Top with feta, adjust salt & pepper and enjoy!

(Shared at The Nourishing Gourmet’s Pennywise Platter 11/21/13)