Roasted Curried Green Beans: An unexpected respite

Due to some less than rigorous flossing and a lapse in regular dental appointments, I had to have what is scarily known as a "deep cleaning" today, when the dental hygienist numbs one side of my mouth so that she can attack everything that is the evil on the left hand side.  I didn't really think much about the appointment, but I did have a slight sinking feeling as all my friends, when I mentioned I was going to the dentist, made that "Oh, I am GLAD I am not you" face, all the while trying to pat my shoulder reassuringly.

Upon my arrival to my dentist, whom I really think is great, I was ushered into a quiet room, where the hygienist asked me to sit down.  She also told me to lean back and put my feet up.  I grabbed my phone/music and asked if it would be all right to listen to some music while she cleaned my teeth.  "Absolutely.  I'd love it if you'd do that," she said, smiling.

Hold on.  You want me to sit still, lie back, put my feet up, listen to some music so YOU CAN DO THE CLEANING?  It's like a vacation!  I opened my mouth, let her numb it and let the rest of my body completely relax and listened to a bunch of songs I have not been able to listen to because of the Frozen obsession at home.  Before I knew it, she was pulling my chair to an upright position, and I almost found myself saying, "But wait!  Don't you have to do any more?"

After a quick mouth rinse and quick check to make sure she was satisfied, she turned to me and said, "Wow.  You were an amazing patient."

"You probably say that to everyone," I remarked.

"No seriously.  You were so still and so relaxed you really made my job easier," she replied.

"I have three kids and believe me, no one in my house EVER tells me to sit back and relax.  You just gave me a mini vacation!"

The hygienist looked completely surprised and began laughing.  I finished with, "You should only take patients who have three kids.  They'll be the best."

Now these green beans aren't exactly as relaxing as dental visit, but they are pretty relaxing to get on the table.  The beans only require a few ingredients, but the end result is slightly exotic and different, almost like a mini vacation.  And all you have to do is mix some ingredients and roast.  Trust me, you'll love these almost as much as I love going to the dentist.

Roasted Curried Green Beans
Serves 4 to 6 people

Ingredients
1 lb french green beans trimmed (these are the thinner green beans)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon curry powder
½ teaspoon sea salt

Method
Preheat oven to 450.    On a large baking sheet (go bigger as more room means the beans roast better) place beans, drizzle olive oil and sprinkle curry powder and sea salt.  Using your hands, toss all the ingredients together to coat the beans.

Roast beans for 12 to 15 minutes, until they are shriveled and the tips and bits are brown and golden. Before removing beans from pan, shake the pan to coat the beans with the spices.

Printable recipe

Make these beans and put your feet up and relax.

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