French Beans Almondine with a Crunchy Twist
Equipment
- Large skillet or sauté pan A nonstick or stainless steel pan works great for toasting the almonds and cooking the beans evenly.
- Tongs or a wooden spoon To gently toss and stir.
- Colander For draining blanched beans.
- Mixing bowl (optional) If you want to toss the beans and almonds separately before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 pound French green beans also called haricots verts, trimmed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley or grated Parmesan
Instructions
Blanch the Beans
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the French green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still vibrant. Drain and immediately plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again and pat dry.
Toast the Almonds
- In your skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add sliced almonds and toast them, stirring often, until they’re golden and fragrant—about 3–4 minutes. Remove almonds and set aside.
Sauté Garlic and Beans
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add garlic slices and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in the blanched green beans and sauté for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add Flavor
- Sprinkle in lemon zest, squeeze over the juice, and season with salt and pepper. Toss in the toasted almonds and give it all a gentle stir to combine.
Serve Warm
- Garnish with a touch of parsley or a bit of grated Parmesan if you're feeling fancy.