Steamed Green Beans With Slivered Almonds Food

NOT-YOUR-GRANDMOTHER'S SAUTEED GREEN BEANS WITH SLIVERED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare an ice bath. For the ice bath, use a lot of ice, add 1 teaspoon or so of kosher salt (which will make it a bit colder) and put a colander inside the bowl so that the ice stays separate from the beans and it's easy to drain the beans as soon as they are well chilled.
• Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook until tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Ladle out 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the water, then transfer the green beans to the ice bath using a wire mesh spider or tongs. Allow to chill completely, then lift the colander out of the ice bath, and dry the green beans thoroughly with kitchen towels or paper towels. This can be done ahead of time.
• In a medium skillet, heat the butter and almonds over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the almonds are deeply browned and nutty, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and shallot and cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes longer. Add the lemon juice, along with 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of the cooking water. Increase the heat to high and stir and shake the pan rapidly to emulsify, about 30 seconds. The sauce should have a glossy sheen and not appear watery or greasy. If it's still watery, continue to simmer and shake. If it looks greasy, add another 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water. When the sauce is ready, remove from the heat.
• Add the green beans to the pan with the sauce and toss to coat and combine. Return to medium heat and cook, tossing, until heated through, about 1 minute. Season to taste with Maldon salt and pepper. Garnish with the lemon zest and serve immediately.

STEAM-SAUTEED GREEN BEANS WITH ALMONDS AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Heat an 8 to 9-inch pot over medium-low heat. When it is hot, add almonds and toast, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove almonds from skillet and set aside. In the same pot add green beans, 1/3 cup water, 2 teaspoons butter, and salt, and cover. Increase heat to medium-high, cover and cook until steam escapes around lid. Set timer for 5 minutes and continue to steam until beans are brightly colored and just tender. Remove lid and continue to cook until water evaporates and beans start to saute, 1 to 2 minutes longer.
• Turn off heat, and stir in toasted almonds, lemon zest, parsley, remaining 2 teaspoons butter, and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.

GREEN BEANS WITH TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Cook green beans 5 minutes in 1-inch boiling water, covered. Drain beans and return pan to heat.
• Add oil and butter pat to the pan. Toss beans in oil and melted butter. Season beans with a little salt and transfer to a serving plate.
• Garnish green beans with toasted slivered or sliced almonds.

PAN-ROASTED GREEN BEANS WITH GOLDEN ALMONDS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add salt (a teaspoon or so, or to taste). Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook until bright green but still firm, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to the ice water. When cool, drain again. Pat dry with paper towels until completely dry.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the almonds and the oil, adding more oil if needed to just cover the almonds. Cook over medium heat until the almonds are golden, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the shallot. It will cook in the residual heat.
• Coat a large skillet with oil. Heat over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add the beans and season with salt. Cook, tossing frequently, until charred dark brown in spots and tender-crisp, about 7 minutes.
• Top with the almond mixture, then the parsley. Grate the zest from a quarter of the lemon directly over the beans, then cut the lemon into wedges for serving. Season with pepper and serve.

GREEN BEANS WITH ALMONDS AND CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Place the slivered almonds in a dry skillet over low heat, and cook and stir constantly until the almonds are lightly toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully, because they burn easily. Remove the almonds and set aside.
• Heat butter in a skillet over medium-low heat, and cook and stir the shallots and red bell pepper until softened, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle the shallot mixture with sugar, salt, and pepper, and reduce heat to low. Cover, and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the shallots caramelize, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer, and bring the water to a boil. Add the green beans, cover, and steam until just tender enough to pierce with a fork, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the green beans, place them into the skillet with the shallot mixture, mix well, and gently stir in the toasted almonds.