a little of each

This recipe, found in one of Adam’s cookbooks, is for fresh green beans and has some easy, tasty variations.

Basic Ingredients

1 lb fresh green beans, stem ends trimmed

4 Tbl butter

1/3 cup water

½ tsp salt

black pepper

Directions

Trim stem ends from green beans and snap beans in half. Add green beans, 1/3 cup water, 2 Tbl butter and salt to a medium-sized pot. Cover and cook over medium high heat until steam escapes under 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 green beans start to sauté, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Turn off heat and stir in remaining 2 Tbl of butter and pepper to taste.

Variations:

Almonds and Parsley

¼ cup toasted slivered almonds

¼ tsp grated lemon zest

2 Tbl chopped fresh parsley

Pecans and Blue Cheese

¼ cup toasted chopped pecans

¼ cup crumbled blue cheese

Pine Nuts, Garlic and Basil

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ cup pine nuts, toasted

2 Tbl fresh basil, chopped

Bacon, Vinegar and Thyme

2 slices of bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces, fried

1 small onion, diced and sautéed about 5 minutes

1 clove garlic, minced

½ tsp dried thyme or 1 ½ Tbl fresh

1 Tbl balsamic vinegar