String Beans tossed with olive oil, butter or melted margarine and toasted almonds are a classic! Whenever I prepare this recipe, I’m taken back to trips to Europe with my family and dining in the fancy French restaurants that were my parents’ favorites. It’s strange how a recipe can take you back into another world or help you discover a new one.
Prep time: 20 minutes
String Beans Almondine
By Published: January 20, 2016
Yield:
- 3 pounds (8-10 Servings)
Ingredients
- 3 pounds fresh haricots verts or green beans
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, butter or non-dairy margarine
- 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds toasted
- freshly ground black pepper optional
Equipment
- 1 large skillet with cover
- tongs
- 1 colander
- 1 large mixing bowl filled with ice
Directions
- Cut off the root ends of the beans. I like the look of the pointy ends; but if you don't, cut those off as well. Rinse beans thoroughly.
- Fill skillet with 3 inches of water. Add salt and bring to a boil. Carefully, pour beans into the skillet. Return water to a boil and cover skillet. Cook beans about 5 minutes-or until they are bright green. To test for doneness- remove one bean with a tongs and bite it. It should be crisp-tender. Remember that the beans will continue to cook until you shock them with ice. When beans are cooked, drain them in colander and then place them in a mixing bowl filled with ice. Turn the beans around with a spoon so that the ice touches all the beans. When they are cold, drain beans again in the colander and pat them dry.
- Add olive oil, or margarine ( butter for a dairy meal) to skillet over medium high heat. Return beans to skillet. Sprinkle toasted almonds over the beans and toss until they are heated through. Serve hot or at room temperature.
