Description
Green Beans Almondine is a classic, elegant side dish featuring crisp-tender green beans sautéed in buttery garlic sauce and topped with toasted slivered almonds and fresh lemon juice. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of textures and fresh flavors, making it an ideal accompaniment for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Beans
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and washed
Almonds and Sauce
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Green Beans: Wash and trim the green beans, removing any stems and ensuring they are clean and ready for cooking.
- Blanch the Green Beans: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until they turn bright green and are slightly tender but still crisp.
- Shock the Beans: Immediately transfer the cooked green beans to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture.
- Toast the Almonds: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the slivered almonds for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until they are golden brown and fragrant. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned, to avoid bitterness.
- Add the Green Beans: Drain the blanched green beans from the ice water and add them to the skillet. Toss and cook for 2-3 minutes until the beans are heated through and coated with the garlic butter.
- Finish the Dish: Remove the skillet from heat. Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in the toasted almonds to combine all flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the green beans almondine to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish. Serve warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- To toast almonds evenly, keep stirring to avoid burning.
- Make sure not to overcook green beans during blanching to maintain their crisp texture.
- This dish pairs beautifully with roasted meats or fish.
- Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for best flavor.
