Without a Recipe: Green Beans

A timeless classic, green beans are a welcome addition to your repertoire as the season warms up. When they’re fresh and tender, they need no more than a quick blanch in boiling water and a plunge in ice water to bring a snappy crunch to salads and crudite. You’ll love them grilled, sauteed, stir-fried, and even deep-fried. Read on for green bean inspiration!

• Ever tried crunchy fried green beans? For a decadent treat, whisk 1 cup flour and 1 tsp salt with 1 cup of beer until smooth. Pinch stem ends of green beans, dip in batter and fry in peanut oil until golden. Drain well and serve with your favorite homemade buttermilk dressing for dipping. Works great with okra too!
• We love meltingly tender long-simmered crock pot green beans. Pinch off stem ends and place whole beans in a crockpot. Add 2 chopped fresh tomatoes, 1 onion thinly sliced, 6 cloves garlic (peeled but left whole) 1/2 c vegetable or chicken broth and drizzle with 4 T olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper and cook on high for about 4 hours until beans are falling-apart tender. These make a great Meatless Monday supper with hot brown rice.
• Stir-fry chopped green beans (+ chicken or tofu if desired) in toasted sesame oil with garlic and ginger. Sprinkle with a tiny bit of soy sauce and serve with rice.
• Toss green beans with salt, pepper, and olive oil, then heat up the grill pan on high and char them. Serve with a drizzle of tangy yogurt or a squeeze of lemon.