Green Bean Gratin

Ingredients

• Roasted Green Beans:
• 2 lb. thin French green beans
• 1-2 t. olive oil
• 1/2 t. kosher salt
• 1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper
• Sauce Ingredients:
• 2 T. butter
• 2 T. all-purpose flour
• 1 c. water
• 1 c. Parmesan cheese, grated, about 6 oz.
• 3/4 c. Monterrey Jack cheese, grated, about 4 oz.
• 1/4 t. cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 1/4 t. kosher salt, or to taste

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place one oven rack about 6 inches from the top and another in the center of the oven.
2. Place green beans on a large rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss with your hands to coat. Roast beans on the center rack for 8 minutes.
3. While beans are roasting, melt butter in a large skillet. Add flour and whisk it into a paste. Cook over medium heat for about a minute. Whisk in water and let sauce simmer over low heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened.
4. Remove from heat and whisk or stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and all of the Monterrey Jack cheese, continue to stir until sauce is smooth. Stir in salt and pepper and adjust as needed. Cover with a lid and let stand 5 minutes.
5. Remove green beans from oven and increase heat to broil. Toss and stir beans lightly and pour sauce over them. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Place green beans back in oven on upper rack under broiler. Broil for 3-4 minutes, watching closely, just until sauce is bubbling and beans and sauce are beginning to brown. Serve hot.
6. 6-8 servings