How to make Bill Millers Green Beans?
Green beans are a tasty and nutritious vegetable that can be prepared many ways. When cooking green beans, start with high quality fresh beans and cook them simply to highlight their natural flavor.
Selecting Green Beans
Choose slender, crisp green beans without brown spots or blemishes. Look for beans with a bright green color. Smaller beans are more tender while larger beans may be more fibrous.
Washing and Preparing Green Beans
Rinse green beans under cool running water right before cooking. Trim the stem and tip ends. Leave beans whole or cut them on a diagonal for shorter pieces if desired.
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Blanching Green Beans
To pre-cook green beans, blanch them quickly in boiling salted water for 1-2 minutes to set color and flavor. Shock in ice water, drain and pat dry.
Seasoning Green Beans
Enhance the flavor of green beans with simple additions like:
Butter and Salt
Melt butter in a pan with cooked green beans and sprinkle lightly with salt. Toss to coat. Easy and delicious!
Lemon Pepper
Sprinkle tangy lemon pepper seasoning onto hot cooked green beans. The lemon brightens the beans’ flavor.
Garlic and Olive Oil
Saute minced garlic briefly in olive oil then add green beans. Saute together until heated through and beans reach desired tenderness. The garlic adds wonderful aroma without overpowering.
Cooking Methods for Green Beans
Sauteing
Quickly cooking green beans on the stovetop while tossing in a pan allows flavors to concentrate. Good for ready-to-eat sides.
Roasting
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of green beans. Toss trimmed beans with oil then spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast at 425°F for 15-25 minutes until browned in spots.
Steaming
An easy hands-off approach, steaming keeps beneficial nutrients intact. Use a steamer basket in a pot with a lid. Steam over boiling water for 5-10 minutes.
Serving Suggestions for Green Beans
Incorporate green beans into well-rounded meals with recipes like:
Green Bean Salad
Combine blanched beans with tomato, onion, basil, balsamic dressing. Chill before serving.
Green Beans Almandine
Saute green beans with butter, garlic and slivered almonds. A classic restaurant preparation.
Green Beans Amandine
Similar to above but with lemon zest and juice added to the bean mixture. Light and citrusy.
Conclusion
Preparing tasty green beans is easy with high quality beans and simple cooking techniques like sauteing, roasting or steaming. Enhance their flavor with butter, garlic, herbs or other favorite seasonings.
Add beans to salads, sides or main entrees for a nutritious ingredient. Experiment with different cooking methods and flavor combinations to find your favorite green bean recipes.
FAQs
What are the health benefits of green beans?
Green beans are low in calories and high in vitamins C and K and manganese. They also contain fiber, folate and antioxidants.
What is the best way to store fresh green beans?
Store fresh green beans unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Use within 3-5 days for best quality.
Can you freeze green beans?
Yes. Blanch green beans first then spread in a single layer on a baking sheet to quick freeze. Transfer to freezer bags or containers. Frozen beans will last about 8 months.
What herbs pair well with green beans?
Dill, basil, oregano, thyme, tarragon, chives and parsley all make good herb additions to prepared green beans.
What other veggies go well cooked with green beans?
Onions, garlic, mushrooms, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers and potatoes can be cooked with green beans for flavorful veggie medleys and sides.
