Green Beans with Buttery Almonds
Want a delicious side dish that's super flavorful, fast, and easy? Call off the search because these green beans with almonds are your answer. I make these for my family when I want a no-fuss side dish that feels a little special despite its simplicity.
Ingredients
- 1 lb French green beans, see notes
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ½ lemon, zest and juice
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Fill a large frying pan halfway with water and salt it well. Bring it to a boil over high heat and then add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes, until crisp tender but not fully cooked.1 lb French green beans
- While the beans simmer, fill a large bowl with ice water. Use tongs to transfer the green beans from the pan to the bowl.
- Lower the heat to medium-low. Drain the water from the pan and add the butter. When it's melted, add the almonds and let them toast for 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the garlic, and let it cook off the heat for 1 minute.2 tablespoon butter, ¼ cup sliced almonds, 2 cloves garlic
- Put the pan back on the heat and use tongs to transfer the beans from the ice bowl to the pan. Cook the beans for 3-4 minutes, until they are tender. Stir in the lemon zest and juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.½ lemon, salt and pepper
Notes
Green beans: French green beans are smaller and more tender. If you cannot find them, use regular green beans.
Make ahead: To prepare this recipe ahead of time, boil the green beans and plunge them into an ice bath. Then, toast the almonds and garlic and set them aside. A few minutes before serving, reheat the butter and add the blanched beans to finish cooking.
Variations to try:
- Saute a little thinly sliced shallot with the garlic.
- Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Use slivered almonds instead of sliced.
- Make them extra garlicky with a few additional cloves.
Serving: 1 = ¼ of the recipe, Calories: 125kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 52mg, Potassium: 308mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 961IU, Vitamin C: 21mg, Calcium: 65mg, Iron: 1mg