Can green beans scream “festive!” Well, yes if they’re Festive Green Beans! But wait, how do they become festive? You can be festive just by declaring it. Don’t worry, Festive Green Beans more than earn their title. They dress up in their richest finery (which is to say, butter), brighten up the mood with lemon flavor, and perfume themselves with the savory aroma of garlic. Oh, and parmesan cheese, because is it even a party without rich, yummy parmesan? The party begins with Festive Green Beans, and it goes on for as long as you like!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 pound green beans
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 lemon
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- parmesan cheese, optional, freshly shredded
Directions
Step 1 –Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 2 –Add the garlic and cook, stirring often, until the garlic just begins to brown, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 3 –Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic to a small plate or bowl.
Step 4 –Add the green beans to the butter in the skillet, tossing to coat.
Step 5 –Cook the green beans over medium heat, stirring often, until just beginning to brown slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 6 –Add the cooked garlic and the water to the skillet and cook until the water is evaporated and the green beans are tender-crisp.
Step 7 –Squeeze the halved lemon over the beans, stirring to incorporate the lemon juice into the beans.
Step 8 –Season the beans with the salt and the pepper.
Step 9 –Sprinkle the beans with the parmesan and serve.