Imagine a side dish so delicious and simple that it transforms ordinary green beans into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece. This Green Beans with Toasted Slivered Almonds recipe is your secret weapon to turning a humble vegetable into a crowd-pleasing sensation. With just a few minutes of preparation and cooking, you'll create a vibrant, crunchy, and flavor-packed side that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the fresh green beans thoroughly under cold running water. Trim the ends of the beans by snapping or cutting off the tough stem ends.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water.
- Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with cold water and ice cubes. This will be used to stop the cooking process and preserve the beans' bright green color.
- Carefully add the trimmed green beans to the boiling water and blanch for 3-4 minutes until they are crisp-tender and vibrant green.
- Using tongs or a slotted spoon, immediately transfer the blanched green beans to the prepared ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let them sit for 1-2 minutes, then drain completely.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss to coat with the garlic and olive oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a separate dry skillet, toast the slivered almonds over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
- Season the green beans with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Transfer the green beans to a serving platter and sprinkle the toasted slivered almonds over the top.
- Serve immediately while the beans are hot and almonds are crisp.
Tips
- • Always use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor • The ice bath is crucial for maintaining that bright green color and crisp texture • Toast almonds carefully - they can burn quickly, so keep a close eye and stir frequently • Use a dry skillet for toasting almonds to prevent burning • Season your beans just before serving to keep the salt from making them soggy • For extra flavor, consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of garlic powder • If you prefer, you can use sliced almonds as an alternative to slivered almonds • Don't overcook the beans - they should remain crisp-tender for the best eating experience
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
