One of the best vegetables to freeze, as far as quality when it comes out of the freezer, is beans and I love Blanching & Freezing Beans. It doesn’t matter what kind: green beans, snap beans, or wax beans. It’s also super simple to grow beans, but that’s a whole ‘nuther thing, so no worries if you don’t grow your own. You can easily use beans from the farmer’s market or the grocery store or wherever you normally get your fresh green (or other) beans from.

Oven Roasted Green Beans & Cherry Tomatoes
My little cherry tomato plant has been a bit stingy, probably because I just put it in a big pot and kind of left in the northeast corner of my back steps for the first half of its miserable existence. Then I tossed it out where there’s some good southern exposure. It was a shock for him. But finally, he adjusted to the August heat and started putting out! So I decided to make Oven Roasted Green Beans & Cherry Tomatoes.

Old Fashioned Three Bean Salad
I grew up on Old Fashioned Three Bean Salad and if you’re from the Midwest, I bet you did, too! There’s just nothing like fresh garden beans soaking up all the sweet, tangy marinade!
It’s a perfect summer salad for a potluck or to have on hand to fill out dinners or lunches. On a hot day, Old Fashioned Three Bean Salad is so cool and refreshing!

Summer Bean Salad with Corn & Tomatoes
Here’s a perfect salad/side that just screams Summer! Maybe that’s why Chef Joe Kindred (Kindred’s Restaurant in Davidson, North Carolina – yep, the same restaurant responsible for Kindred’s Milk Bread) named the original recipe “Summer Bean Salad.”

Takeout Style Green Beans
Just in case you look at these pictures and think I’m nuts, these green beans, sautéed till slightly blistered, then tossed with soy, honey and garlic stole the show the other night at dinner.