Prepare to transform the humble green bean into a culinary masterpiece that will have your family and friends begging for seconds! This quick and easy American-style side dish is about to revolutionize your vegetable game, combining the crisp freshness of green beans with the bright, aromatic punch of dill. In just 25 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that's not only incredibly delicious but also surprisingly simple to prepare.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the fresh green beans thoroughly under cold running water, removing any stems or blemished areas. Pat dry completely with clean kitchen towels or paper towels.
- Trim the ends of the green beans by cutting approximately 1/4 inch from both ends using a sharp kitchen knife. Ensure beans are relatively uniform in length for even cooking.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water to enhance the beans' flavor.
- Carefully add the prepared green beans to the boiling water and blanch for 3-4 minutes until they become bright green and slightly tender, maintaining a crisp texture.
- While beans are blanching, prepare an ice water bath in a large bowl to immediately stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color and crispness.
- Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the blanched green beans directly into the ice water bath. Let them cool for 2-3 minutes, then drain completely.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the cooled green beans and sauté for 2-3 minutes, ensuring even heating.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped dill over the beans, then drizzle with lemon juice. Gently toss to distribute herbs and juice evenly.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, continuing to toss the beans to ensure proper seasoning.
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with additional fresh dill if desired. Serve immediately while warm.
Tips
- • For the crispiest beans, make sure to dry them thoroughly after washing to prevent steaming instead of sautéing. • Use fresh dill whenever possible - the flavor is dramatically more vibrant than dried herbs. • Don't overcook the beans! The key is to maintain that perfect crisp-tender texture. • For extra flavor, try toasting some slivered almonds and sprinkle them on top before serving. • Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance the overall taste of the dish. • If you're watching your sodium intake, go easy on the salt and let the lemon juice and dill provide the flavor punch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 70kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
