Garlicky Green Beans

I'm not a huge green bean fan in general, but I decided to branch out a bit and see if I could make them more fun. So I picked up crisp, fresh green beans at my local farmer's market and set to work with a simple, fast recipe that adds some flavor and fun without masking the natural taste. In this case, toasted garlic is the highlight of the show.

In addition to the green beans, I prepared some macadamia crusted tilapia and roasted potatoes - two simple dishes that always hit the spot. This versatile vegetable dish will pair well with nearly anything, though, so feel free to get creative or whip this up in a pinch.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 15 minutes
Cost: $18.09



Garlicky Green Beans
Ingredients:
1.5 c raw green beans, trimmed
1.5 tsp fake butter
1 tsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp black pepper

Get a pot of water boiling. When the water is boiling, add the green beans and let them boil for about 5 minutes. Then remove, drain, and immediately rinse with cold water. This will stop the cooking process and keep the vegetables crisp and nicely colored.

Heat a pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil and butter. Swirl as it melts - should take just 30 seconds or so. Add the garlic and saute for about 1 minute, stirring often. Put the green beans in the pan and sprinkle with the black pepper. Toss well and saute for another minute. Then remove and serve right away.

Servings: 3
Serving size: about 1/2 c green beans
Nutrition: calories 49; carbs 6g; fat 3g; protein 1g; sodium 30mg; iron 1mg