Firecracker Green Beans

As soon as I saw this recipe, I HAD to experience the flavors. I love green beans but never before as much as I do now, thanks to this recipe. Intrigued so deeply by these nutritional yeast flakes I’ve seen used so often in Mississippi Vegan’s recipes, I decided it was finally time to fearlessly dive in and give them a taste. This recipe was calling my name and there was no stopping me from making it. I had the determination of the most tenacious cook anywhere and I was on a mission. My mind was brewing over what these flavors must taste like once mixed and even more curiously, what it would all taste like once baked.

I already had Tamari on hand, that’s organic soy sauce – think of organic products as flavors intensified. Coconut oil by the gallon because it’s great for cooking anything. I had all the other spices sitting in tall mason jars in my pantry, having ordered them in bulk – always looking for a way to use them up. All that was left to do was find organic green beans and I found them in a 2 pound package, french style. I think I may have run to the register… possibly sped home. The instant the green beans hit my counter, I was melting the coconut oil and mixing the spices, this took less than 5 minutes. The smell was intoxicating. The aroma of this mix was already amazing enough but I had to taste it before cooking with it, I couldn’t wait another minute wondering what this must taste like. Before long, I had eaten several spoon-tips full. I realized if I didn’t stop eating the spice, I wouldn’t have any left!

You might have guessed that I didn’t even bother to pre-heat my oven, I simply mixed the spice mix with the oil, tossed it with the beans and shoved it into my cold oven and cranked up the heat to 450 degrees and set the timer – hoping it would be done in half the time since they would cook some while the oven warmed. I’m positive I didn’t wait 30 minutes, there’s not a chance I could have. As soon as they looked almost exactly like the photo above, I yanked them out of the oven and started eating them straight off the hot pan. My fingertips stung a few times but I didn’t care, I think at one point I may have finally grabbed a fork but only so I could shovel them in faster with extra spice mix in each bite. All I truly remember are the intense flavors that were indescribably wonderful. Umami, fire, cumin, hints of turmeric and curry but not overpowering… Tastebud perfection is all I can tell you. I don’t recall enjoying a savory flavor more than this. Ever.

Some of the spice had fallen onto the pan and that was exciting to me because I could eat it in little chunks. I ate the beans so fast I can’t even remember how long they lasted but it wasn’t long enough. I had this insatiable craving for more so I had to clean the bits of spice off the pan and nothing was going to waste here, not even a single sesame seed. As I munched on the toasted spices, I realized that I was addicted this stuff! I wanted more even after an entire pan! Of course no one else wanted any because I had added extra chili pepper – cayenne. These beans were absolutely phenomenal tasting.

The nutritional yeast gives them a slightly cheesy flavor. You don’t notice the coconut oil at all. The sesame seeds give endless crunch and a slight sweetness. All balanced perfectly by the touch of turmeric and curry powder. I was worried I might taste the mustard seeds but they blend in with the other flavors so perfectly you will barely notice them. It simply all comes together in a delicious taste that is so complex but loaded with pizazz and almost impossible to stop eating.

All I know is once I finished the first pan of these Firecracker Green Beans, I made another whole double batch of the spice mix just to keep in my pantry. It didn’t last a day. I couldn’t stop dreaming about ways to use it. Fries, popcorn, cauliflower…anything and everything! Once I added some freshly ground salt to the mix, it was all said and done. I was eating the mix by the spoonful. Pausing for bits of time because my tongue was on fire but back for more.

As fate would have it, I had another pound of green beans sitting in my fridge and I was sure I was going to make my mother’s famous Greek green beans with them but no….this recipe had a hold on me like no other. I unloaded them onto a baking tray and once again slathered them in the rest of my previously prepared double batch spice mix. This time I couldn’t wait nearly as long and baked them even less time. Again, I ate them all.

Is it possible to compliment this recipe any more than I have by admitting to having eaten two pans singlehandedly?

I recommend following the recipe exactly and baking at 450 for the time recommended so you get the crunchy spice bits because oh my … are they ever tasty!!!!! You really must make this recipe, if you don’t, you are missing out on one of the best recipes ever invented. This is Michelin (restaurant that is) worthy!! It may just be Green Beans with some crunchy spice mix but oh no my friend, it’s much more than that. It’s a flavor explosion that you will never stop craving.

I made this for a dinner party and literally everyone loved it. Thanks for sharing your nuggets with us! Can’t wait to get my copy of the cook book!!!!

Legit the best green beans ever! I always buy green beans and never know what to do with them! This is so insanely easy and so insanely delicious. Thank you so much for this recipe!!

Just had them and they were delicious!!!

Roasted up these little firecrackers last night and boy were they good! Timmy’s awesome mix of spices delivers you straight to flavor town! Toss them in a cast iron skillet and pop them in the oven, 30 minutes later you’ve got yourself some spicy crunchy green beans! Thanks Timmy!

These are like crack to me. They take 2 seconds to prep, and 2 seconds to eat. They are so easy, and the recipe is really cheap (at least for me, I already had the spices on hand, so I only had to buy the beans and mustard seeds!) which is nice. Also, I always have plenty of the topping left in the pan, it scoops right up (if you take care of your cast iron) and I always save it to put on something else later the same day. Today I put it on corn, and it was amazing!

Amazing! I don’t even like green beans but these are so more-ish – absolutely delicious and they smell incredible while they’re cooking! Timothy’s recipes are always the best!

Oh My! These beans are just awesome! First recipe I’ve tried of MV and this one is good enough to make me buy the cookbook. Made 1/2 batch “in case” they didn’t turn out to my liking. Ha! Firecracker is a good adjective to describe these things. Addictive would be another. Even the hubs who doesn’t eat veggies or hot hot things ate them. Thank you MV!!