Green Bean-Goat Cheese Gratin

Ingredients

• 2 ounces goat cheese crumbled
• 1 pound haricots verts fresh trimmed (tiny green beans)
• 0.3 teaspoon kosher salt 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 3 oz freshly parmesan cheese shredded divided
• 0.3 cup pecans finely chopped
• 0.3 teaspoon pepper 
• 0.5 cup whipping cream 
• 2 slices bread white

Equipment

• food processor
• baking sheet
• paper towels
• oven
• ramekin
• aluminum foil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 40
2. Tear bread into large pieces; pulse in a food processor 2 or 3 times or until coarse crumbs form.
3. Drizzle oil over crumbs; add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Pulse 5 or 6 times or until coated with oil. Stir in pecans.
4. Cut green beans crosswise into thirds. Cook in boiling water to cover 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain and pat dry with paper towels.
5. Toss together beans, next 4 ingredients, and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Firmly pack mixture into 4 (6-oz.) shallow ramekins. Cover each with aluminum foil, and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with crumb mixture.
7. Bake 8 more minutes or until golden.
8. Let stand 5 minutes.
9. Brought to the table by cookbook author Tasia Malakasis, owner of Belle Chvre creamery in Elkmont, Alabama.