Cook Fresh Green Beans

Available all year round, green beans are a nutritious addition to any meal. Before cooking green beans, wash them thoroughly in clean water and remove the woody stem end from the bean with either a knife or by snapping it off. Read on for information about basic cooking methods and two popular green bean recipes.

Ingredients

Basic Green Beans, 3 Ways

  • Green beans, washed with ends removed
  • Water
  • Salt and pepper

Green Bean Salad

  • 2 cups (250 g) green beans, cooked
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 1 cup (240 g) feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 Tablespoons (30 g) red wine vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons (30 g) olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Fresh Green Bean Casserole

  • 5 cups (625 g) green beans, cooked
  • 1 cup (110 g) seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons butter (28 g), melted
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cups (150 g) mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 g) chicken broth
  • 2 Tablespoons (16 g) cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup (225 g) sour cream
  • 1/4 (1 g) teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 (1.5 g) teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 (2.5 g) teaspoon salt

Steps

Basic Green Beans, 3 Ways

  1. Boil green beans.
    • Fill a large pot with just enough water to cover the beans.
    • Bring the water to a boil over high heat and then add the freshly washed and trimmed beans to the water.
    • Once the water comes to a boil again, turn the heat down and let the beans simmer for about 4 minutes or until they are tender but still crisp.
    • Drain the beans, season them with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
  2. Steam green beans. Steaming green beans is the best way to preserve the maximum nutritional value.
    • Fill a pot with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water and set the steamer basket into the bottom of the pot.
    • Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid and bring the pot to a boil. When boiling, remove the lid and add the freshly washed and trimmed beans to the steamer basket.
    • Turn the heat down to medium and put the lid back on.
    • Cook for about 2 minutes and then test for doneness. They should be tender but still crisp.
    • Season and serve immediately.
  3. Microwave green beans.
    • Add freshly washed and trimmed green beans to a microwave safe bowl or container.
    • Add 2 tbsp. (30 ml) of water and then cover tightly with plastic wrap. The plastic wrap should not be touching the beans.
    • Microwave on high for about 3 minutes then pierce the plastic wrap being careful of escaping steam.
    • Test for doneness, then season and serve immediately.

Green Bean Salad

  1. Cook 2 cups (250 g) of green beans according to one of the basic methods above. Allow the beans to cool, then cut them in half.
  2. Place the beans in a medium bowl. Add the tomatoes, onion, and feta cheese. Toss together with tongs.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
  4. Pour the dressing over the green beans. Toss until the beans are coated.
  5. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve cold.

Green Bean Casserole

  1. Cook 5 cups (625 g) of green beans according to one of the basic methods above. Slice the beans in half lengthwise.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (176ºC) degrees. Grease a large casserole dish with butter or olive oil.
  3. Mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon butter in a small bowl.
  4. Heat the other tablespoon of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion to the saucepan and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the pan and cook until soft, about 4 more minutes. Stir the green beans into the mushrooms and onions.
  5. Pour the chicken broth in a small pot. Place it on a burner over high heat, and bring to a boil.
  6. Mix the cornstarch with 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water. Stir until the cornstarch has dissolved, then add it to the boiling chicken broth. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until the mixture thickens.
  7. Pour the thickened broth over the green beans, onions and mushrooms. Stir in the sour cream.
  8. Spread the mixture into the casserole dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and Parmesan evenly over the green beans. Place the dish in the oven.
  9. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.

Sugared Beans

  1. Cook the amount of green beans desired in boiling water for 15 minutes.
  2. Then pour out all the water. Transfer the beans to a bowl.
  3. Sprinkle with a little sugar or pour over a little golden syrup.
  4. Serve. The sugar touch will bring out the sweetness in the beans and it will taste delicious.



Tips

  • Green beans can be cooked ahead of time and then reheated before serving. If you need to cook the beans ahead of time, prepare an ice bath while the beans are cooking. An ice bath is a large bowl filled with ice cubes and water. When the beans are cooked, strain them and submerge them into the icy water to stop the cooking process. This will also help maintain their bright green color.

Things You'll Need

  • Clean water
  • Cooking vessel (pot, steamer basket or microwave safe bowl)
  • Stove top or microwave
  • Strainer
  • Salt and pepper

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

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