Green Beans Almondine

In case you haven’t figured it out already, I lead a very busy life.  I am always fighting against the clock trying to get everything done.  I always do manage to get it all done, but there are plenty of times when it feels like a very steep, uphill battle.  I am also a perfectionist to a certain degree, AND I tend to take on way more than I should most of the time.   And you already know how much I love to cook.  If I had more time in the day, I would probably cook a lot more fancy meals, but since I don’t, simplicity is key.  I want to prepare good food that is both healthy and tasty, and of course visually stimulating as well, but time does not always allow for that.  The K.I.S.S. rule – Keep it short and simple, or another version I’ve heard, Keep it simple, Stupid, is one of my everyday mantras for a lot of the meals I cook.  Depending on the day, either one of these versions can be applicable.

Green beans almondine is one of those simple, easy dishes, that only takes a few minutes to prepare,  looks good and is always very tasty.  The term almondine just means something cooked with almonds.  Almondine, spelled this way is American and amandine is the European spelling for the same thing.  Usually when I prepare something in the almondine method, I use the slivered almonds, although you don’t have to if you prefer something different.  We eat a lot of green beans, and I like to prepare them in a wide variety of ways, although almondine is a favorite.  When I prepared my cod with the pepper coulis, one of my side dishes was green beans almondine.  Something from the Sea

As with many dishes and recipes, there are usually quite a few different variations.  There are some basic guidelines, but then there is also room for creativity too.  This is true for green beans almondine too, although the basic recipe is green beans or haricot verts, which are smaller, more tender green beans, almonds, butter and seasonings.  You can also add garlic and/or shallots too, which I do quite often, though this time I did not.  This time around, it was just the basics.

Green Beans Almondine

1 lb green beans, with ends trimmed

1-1 1/2 cups almond slivers

3-4 TBSP butter

salt & pepper to taste

1-2 tsp lemon juice

 

Cook the green beans in boiling water for about 5-7 minutes or until they are tender, then drain the water and set aside.  Melt the butter in a hot skillet.  When the butter is completely melted, add the lemon juice.  Cook it down for about 1 minute or so, then add the almonds and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the almonds are golden brown and crunchy, making sure to stir constantly so they don’t burn.  Almonds, particularly the thin slivers, can burn very easily.

When the almonds are golden in color, add the green beans and the seasonings and toss everything together thoroughly.  Simple, easy-peasy, tasty and healthy too.  What more can you ask, right?!  🙂