French-Style Green Beans

The recipe for French-style green beans is a simple yet impressive way to cook crunchy, buttery green beans almondine.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: French

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 204kcal

Author: Adina

Ingredients

1 lb green beans 450 g, Note
1 teaspoon butter for the beans
3 tablespoons butter for the almonds
½ cup almonds sliced or slivered, 50 g
2 - 3 teaspoons lemon juice to taste
fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

Green beans:

Prepare green beans: Wash and trim the green beans. Line up a handful of beans and cut off the tips in one slice. Only remove the tougher ends, those that were attached to the stem. You don't have to remove the top side with the tender shoots. Halve the beans if they are very long.
1 lb green beans/ 450 g
Cook green beans: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add salt generously and 1 teaspoon butter. Cook the green beans until tender but still crisp, about 6 - 7 minutes, or to your liking.
1 teaspoon butter
Prepare the ice bath: While the green beans are cooking, fill a large bowl with water, add ice cubes, and set it aside. Drain the beans in a colander and plunge them into the ice water immediately. This will ensure that they retain their bright green color and remain crisp.
Drain the green beans again and pat dry with kitchen paper.

Almondine:

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large pan. Add almonds and cook on medium heat, stirring often, until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
3 tablespoons butter + ½ cup almonds/ 50 g
Add the green beans, half of the lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to coat the green beans with butter. Reheat for about 1 minute; they should become glossy.
2 - 3 teaspoons lemon juice
Add more lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Sprinkle some chopped parsley on top. Serve immediately.
fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper + 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Notes

French green beans, also known as haricots verts, are the same species as regular green beans but are longer, slenderer, and more tender due to earlier harvesting. They should not be confused with French-cut beans, which are julienned green beans.

Nutrition