Ingredients
- 2 pints ripe cherry tomatoes, washed and sliced in halves, several saved whole for garnish
- ⅓ cup blanched almonds, toasted
- 2 cloves garlic
- 12 leaves fresh basil
- Leaves from 4 sprigs fresh oregano
- Kosher salt (preferably Diamond Crystal)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped Calabrian chile (or substitute 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper), optional
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ pound green beans, trimmed
- ½ pound yellow wax beans, trimmed
- ½ pound Romano beans, trimmed
- 2–4 ounces grated ricotta salata
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss tomatoes lightly with olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Lay in a single layer on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and roast for 10–12 minutes, until they color slightly.
Using a food processor (or mortar and pestle) combine almonds, garlic, basil, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground pepper and chilis; process until chopped. Add in 1 cup olive oil and pulse until desired texture is reached (smooth or more textured, whichever you prefer). Set aside.
Preheat grill on high or prepare coals. In a heated vegetable grill pan, place the unadorned beans in a single layer and let them char on both sides along with a few tomatoes for garnish. Remove from grill and toss beans very lightly with olive oil if they seem dry and a pinch of salt. Arrange on a platter, scatter grilled tomatoes and top green beans with pesto and grated ricotta salata.