Blackened String Beans with Mystery Mayo.
Blackened String Beans are a signature dish for local chef Ric Orlando; he claims in this video to have sold over a million servings. The technique is very adaptable to other seasoning mixes. We stuck with Penzey’s Cajun Style Seasoning but you could also use Ric’s own spice mix recipe or make your own. Serves 4.
Method:
1 lb green beans, snipped at the stem end
boiling salted water
1 T Cajun spice mix or similar
2 T cornmeal
2 T neutral oil
Dipping sauce for serving
Lemon wedges for serving
Method: bring water to a boil and add the beans; blanch for 30 seconds then remove to a colander and run cold water over to stop the cooking. Add spices, cornstarch and oil to a large bowl and mix in beans, tossing with your hands until beans are evenly coated. Heat a cast iron skillet very hot then add beans. They will smoke furiously so be sure your stove vent is on full blast. Toss and cook 3 minutes or o until beans show some blistering and the cornmeal/spice mixture is blackened in several places. Serve immediately, with some lemon wedges and a dipping sauce such as remoulade or our Mystery Mayo.
