We eat a lot of fresh vegetables all year round but even more so in the Summer when local produce is at its peak. Vegetable side dishes can be somewhat boring, although they don’t have to be. We devote a lot of time and experimentation to finding innovative ways to prepare vegetables so that they are not just a mandatory side item, but something to enjoy that also enhances the rest of the meal.
This recipe is a good example. Crisp green beans are brightened up with a zesty lemon butter sauce. Lemon and garlic bring a bit of zing to the beans, and the butter adds a decedent creaminess to the sauce. Green beans are even better when combined with lemon, garlic, & butter!
Lemon Butter Green Beans
Lemon Butter Green Beans (adapted from vikalinka.com) Total Time Required: 20 minutes, Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook Time: 15 minutes, Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound green beans washed and trimmed
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- juice of 1 lemon (3 tablespoons)
- 1/2 lemon sliced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Trim the ends off the green beans and rinse them well. Parboil the green beans in boiling water for 4 – 5 minutes.
Cook the green beans.
Remove the beans into an ice water bath for 2 minutes, then drain them and set them aside.
Plunge the cooked beans into an ice water bath.
Heat a sauté pan over low heat. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and sauté the garlic in the butter for 30 seconds.
Sauté the garlic in the butter.
Squeeze in the lemon juice then add a few lemon slices and the remaining butter to the pan.
Add the remaining butter to the pan along with some lemon slices.
Add the green beans to the pan with the lemon sauce and season them with salt and pepper. Sauté the mixture for about 5 – 7 minutes, approximately 5 minutes for beans with a slight bite to them, or longer for softer beans.
Add the beans to the pan.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add salt & pepper to taste.
Serve the beans immediately with the sauce and additional lemon slices.
Serve immediately.
These beans are zinging! ~Linda
Lemon Butter Green Beans (adapted from vikalinka.com) Total Time Required: 20 minutes, Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook Time: 15 minutes, Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound green beans washed and trimmed
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- juice of 1 lemon (3 tablespoons)
- 1/2 lemon sliced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Trim the ends off the green beans and rinse them well. Parboil the green beans in boiling water for 4 – 5 minutes. Remove the beans into an ice water bath for 2 minutes, then drain them and set them aside.
Heat a sauté pan over low heat. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter, and sauté the garlic in the butter for 30 seconds. Squeeze in the lemon juice then add a few lemon slices and the remaining butter to the pan.
Add the green beans to the pan with the lemon sauce and season them with salt and pepper. Sauté the mixture for about 5 – 7 minutes, approximately 5 minutes for beans with a slight bite to them, or longer for softer beans. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve the beans immediately with the sauce and additional lemon slices.