Are you tired of boring, bland vegetable side dishes that put everyone to sleep? Get ready to revolutionize your dinner table with these zesty, crunchy Green Beans with Lemon and Almonds! This simple yet sophisticated recipe transforms ordinary green beans into a gourmet experience that will have your family and guests begging for seconds. Bursting with bright citrus notes, toasty almonds, and perfectly crisp-tender beans, this dish is about to become your new secret weapon in the kitchen.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the fresh green beans thoroughly under cold running water, then trim off the tough stem ends using a sharp knife.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water to enhance the beans' flavor.
- Carefully add the trimmed green beans to the boiling water and blanch for approximately 3-4 minutes until they are bright green and crisp-tender.
- While the beans are cooking, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with cold water and ice cubes.
- Once the beans are cooked, immediately drain them in a colander and transfer to the ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant green color.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers slightly.
- Add sliced almonds to the skillet and toast them, stirring constantly, until they turn golden brown and become fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Drain the cooled green beans and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Add the green beans to the skillet with the toasted almonds and toss gently to coat with oil.
- Sprinkle freshly grated lemon zest over the beans and squeeze fresh lemon juice on top.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, tossing to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with additional toasted almonds if desired. Serve immediately while warm.
Tips
- Always start with fresh, crisp green beans and trim the ends carefully for the best texture.
- The ice bath is crucial - it stops the cooking process and keeps your beans vibrantly green and perfectly tender-crisp.
- Toast your almonds slowly and watch them carefully; they can burn quickly, so keep them moving in the pan.
- Use freshly zested lemon for maximum flavor impact - the oils in fresh zest are much more potent.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet when tossing the beans to ensure even heating and perfect coating.
- Serve immediately after cooking to maintain the beans' optimal temperature and crunch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 132kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
