Green beans are low in calories, but high in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and folate. They are a little less popular than other legumes because many people are convinced that they are soft and not very tasty. In reality, green beans are tasty, tender and crunchy, but it is important to know how to cook them correctly.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Choose and Prepare the Green Beans
Step 1. Choose firm, brightly colored green beans
They should be firm to the touch and a nice solid green color, so discard any that are discolored or stained. If you care about the presentation of the dish, choose perfectly straight green beans. If, on the other hand, you intend to cut them into small pieces, the shape does not matter.
Step 2. Grab a handful of green beans and orient all the stalks in the same direction
Take a handful of green beans and make sure the stalks are all facing the same side. Gently tap them against the cutting board to line them up.
Step 3. Remove the stalks from the green beans with a clean cut
Block them on the cutting board with your non-dominant hand, hold the knife with the other hand and eliminate all the stalks in one stroke with a clean cut.
- If you like, you can trim the green beans on both sides to get rid of any dry spikes.
- Repeat this process until you have checked all the green beans to cook.
Step 4. Rinse the green beans with cold water
Put them in a colander and rinse them under cold running water. When done, gently shake the colander to drain the green beans from excess water.
Step 5. Cut the green beans if the recipe calls for it
In most cases, green beans should be cooked whole, but some recipes call for cutting them into small pieces, for example when stir-frying with other vegetables. Read carefully the recipe you have selected and follow the directions.
If the recipe tells you to cut the green beans into small pieces, make sure they are all the same length or they won't cook evenly
Method 2 of 3: Cook the Green Beans in a Pot, Steamer or Microwave
Step 1. Blanch the green beans if you want them to be crunchy and a nice bright green color
Boil the water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. When the water boils, add the green beans and cook them for 4-5 minutes in the uncovered pot. When the time runs out, drain and transfer them to a bowl filled with ice water. Leave them to soak for 4-5 minutes before draining them and using them as you wish.
If you intend to freeze the green beans, blanch them for only 3 minutes. When done, dip them into ice water, then transfer them to a resealable food bag
Step 2. Cook the green beans for 3-5 minutes for a quick and easy side dish
Place a steamer basket inside a pot with 3 inches of water at the bottom. Add the green beans to the basket and bring the water to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid and steam the green beans over medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
Step 3. Microwave the green beans for 3-4 minutes if you don't have a stove available
Place them in a microwave-safe container and add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water. Cover the container with cling film, leaving an open corner where steam can escape. Microwave the green beans on high for 3-4 minutes.
Note that it is not easy to cook green beans evenly using the microwave
Step 4. Boil the green beans in boiling water for 6 minutes if the steamer basket is missing
Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover the green beans, then add a pinch of salt and bring it to a boil over high heat. When the water boils, add the green beans, adjust the heat and let them cook for about 6 minutes. When they are tender, drain and serve the green beans.
Method 3 of 3: Prepare Tasty Dishes with Green Beans
Step 1. Saute the green beans in the pan for a couple of minutes after steaming them
Steam them for 4-6 minutes, then remove them from the steamer. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons (30 g) of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green beans and cook them for a couple of minutes, stirring often. Season them with salt and pepper before serving.
- Steaming the green beans before tossing them will make them tastier. In the pan they will caramelize and absorb the flavor of the sauce, becoming even more delicious.
- You can flavor the green beans with paprika, chilli, or garlic powder when you stir-fry them to give them even more flavor.
Step 2. Bake the green beans in the oven
Put them in a baking dish and season them with a spoon (15 ml) of extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper. Distribute them inside the baking dish after covering it with baking paper, then bake them in the oven at 220 ° C for 10-12 minutes, stirring them halfway through cooking. When the ends of the green beans change color, they are ready.
Use a large baking dish so the green beans don't overlap, otherwise they won't cook evenly
Step 3. Cook the green beans in the slow cooker to have dinner ready when you get home
First, brown 75 g of bacon in a pan. Once ready, crumble the bacon and transfer it to the slow cooker along with a sliced golden onion, 900 g of green beans, and 2 liters of chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper, then close the pot with the lid. Cook the green beans on the "high" cooking mode for 8-10 hours.
If you don't have time to brown the bacon slices and slice the onion, you can use 75g of diced bacon and 450g of canned onions
Step 4. Make a flan with green beans for a nutritious and flavorful dish
Cook 340 g of green beans in the microwave, then place them in an ovenproof dish and cover them with 300 g of mushroom cream and 65 g of breadcrumbs. You can add a sprinkle of black pepper. Bake the flan in the oven at 175 ° C for 25-30 minutes.
Advice
- Store green beans in the refrigerator after purchase. Put them in a food bag and add a paper towel if you intend to keep them for several days, so that it absorbs excess moisture.
- After blanching or steaming the green beans, season them with extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic and lemon juice.
- Season the green beans with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Sauté the green beans in the pan with the diced onion and bacon.
- When washing green beans be careful not to mix them so that the stalks are all facing in one direction. That way you'll save time when it's time to cut them.
- If you need to blanch or steam more than half a kilo of green beans, divide them into two pots.
- The green beans will continue to cook for a few moments even after you remove them from the pot, so drain them as soon as they seem ready.
- Blanch the green beans or steam them, dry them well, put them in a bowl, seal it with cling film and store them in the refrigerator to have them available when you need them.
