green beans + garlic + almonds = heaven

i looked over at the clock and saw that it was only about to be 6pm. i felt like it was already 10pm, partially because we had dinner an hour before my realization of time. i then hear my mom call my name from the kitchen and i yelled back to ask her what she wanted. she told me that she wanted me to make that green bean thing i did the other night ago. i went out to the kitchen and saw the kitchen counter covered with plastic bags from seafood city. then i looked over where she was standing and saw that she had a big bag of green beans in front of her and then i knew, she liked that little snack we had.

this recipe was inspired by a video i saw on youtube, i don’t remember exactly which chef/cook it was but it was a she. i have never been a fan of green bean until i ate it with steak and mashed potatoes a couple of times in restaurants and weddings. i was surprised on how sweet it was. i always thought they were nasty, maybe because i grew up on being forced to eat them and the ones i used to eat were long string green beans that were a little too bitter and mushy after being boiled for forever. anyway, this one is the total opposite of the beans i grew up with. these are crunchy, sweet and bright from the acidity of the lemon juice you add in the end.

if you are in a bind, this in one of those recipes that you could make as a snack or something that could tide you over until your next meal. you could even make a whole lot and have it as your entire meal, which i really wouldn’t mind doing. also the measurements in this recipe are suited to my taste buds and you should adjust accordingly to your preference because you should make it to suit your taste, after all, you are the one who’s going to be eating it. i did mine a little salty and lemony because i love those flavors.

green bean with garlic and almonds

what you need:

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp light tasting oil (i used canola, but you could also use grapeseed or even plain vegetable oil)

1/2 lb (or so) green beans or haricot vert (french green beans, the skinnier one!), tips removed

6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1/4 cup sliced almonds

salt and pepper

juice of one lemon

what to do:

1. heat up a large pan over medium high heat, add oil and butter.

2. once the butter melts and stops foaming like crazy, add green beans, toss for about a minute and add salt and pepper.

3. add garlic and almonds and cook for another 2-3 minutes, sprinkle some more salt and pepper if you like (i like my garlic a little brown so i cooked it until the almonds and garlic are brown).

4. remove the pan from the heat, squeeze lemon juice and serve. that’s it! it’s that easy.

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