It is best to prepare fresh green beans quickly and gently; steaming or cooking in a pan with a little oil allows you to preserve all the nutrients and the crunchy texture of these vegetables. You can proceed with steaming in the traditional way, on the stove, or use the microwave to save a few minutes.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: on the stove
Step 1. Prepare the green beans
Rinse them first using cold water, then pat them dry and detach both pointed ends by snapping or cutting them.
Step 2. Pour 3-5 cm of water into a medium-sized saucepan
If you want to flavor the vegetables, add a pinch of salt; if you prefer even more intense flavors, add some minced garlic cloves. It may take one to three wedges, depending on the amount of green beans you are going to cook.
If you don't have a steamer basket, reduce the amount of water to 1-3 cm
Step 3. Insert the basket into the pot
Be careful that it does not touch the surface of the water; in this case, it means that you have added too much liquid and need to discard some. If you don't have the basket, skip this step.
Step 4. Turn on the stove over high heat and cover the pan
Wait for the water to boil.
Step 5. Add the green beans
Put the lid back on and reduce the heat to low to allow the liquid to simmer.
Step 6. Steam the vegetables for 3-5 minutes
After about 4 minutes, take a green bean and taste it. It is ready when its color is bright green and retains some crunchiness; if it's too hard, wait another couple of minutes.
If you plan on stir-frying the vegetables, cook them for only 2 minutes
Step 7. Remove them from the pot
If you are using a basket, just lift it from the pan and shake it over the sink to remove excess water; if you don't have a basket, pour the contents of the pot into a colander on the sink. The container holds the vegetables and lets the cooking liquid flow.
Step 8. Transfer the green beans to an ice-water bath to retain their bright green color
The vegetables continue to cook even after removing them from the heat, becoming dull and mushy. To prevent this from happening, fill a large bowl with cold water and some ice cubes; add the green beans to the bowl and remove them after a few seconds.
- Try putting the vegetables in a colander first; in this way, you just have to immerse the container in the ice bath and then lift it while collecting all the vegetables.
- This procedure causes a thermal shock.
Step 9. Add some flavor before serving the green beans
Put them back in the pot, add the aromas you prefer and mix to distribute them well. If you have decided to use butter, wait for it to melt; it may be necessary to light the flame again for a few seconds. When the dressing is blended, transfer the vegetables to the serving tray. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Try butter and salt. You can also use a garlic-flavored salt instead of the classic table salt to obtain a more intense aroma;
- Add sea salt, dill and a little butter for a herb flavor;
- If you love strong flavors, use salt, freshly ground black pepper and a little butter.
Method 2 of 2: in the Microwave
Step 1. Prepare the green beans
To start, rinse them with cold water, pat them dry, and remove both pointed ends by cutting or breaking them.
Step 2. Transfer them to a microwave safe bowl
They should all remain under the rim of the bowl; alternatively, use a baking dish.
Step 3. Add about 15ml of water
You don't need more than what is needed to generate a nice vapor; green beans naturally contain a lot of liquids and will release them in cooking.
To enrich the flavor of the vegetables, add salt or minced garlic; 1-3 cloves are sufficient depending on the amount of vegetables you intend to prepare
Step 4. Cover the bowl with a dish or lid that can be used in the microwave
Alternatively, you can use cling film.
Step 5. Microwave the vegetables for 2-4 minutes
After this time, take a green bean and check if it is ready. It should be bright green and still a little crunchy; if it still looks raw, continue cooking at 30-second intervals until the vegetables are ready.
Step 6. Take the pan out of the oven
Remove the lid or cling film carefully, being careful of any sudden burst of steam.
Step 7. Transfer the vegetables to the ice water
They continue to cook even after taking them out of the microwave, becoming dark and mushy. To prevent this, fill a large bowl with cold water and some ice cubes; put the green beans inside and take them out after a few seconds. This process causes a thermal shock.
Try putting the vegetables in a colander first; in doing so, you just have to immerse the container in cold water and then lift it, also collecting all the green beans
Step 8. Flavor the dish before serving
Return the vegetables to the bowl you cooked them in and add your favorite seasonings. Mix everything to even out the ingredients and then place the vegetables on a serving dish. If you have decided to use butter, you may need to put the bowl back in the microwave for a few seconds to melt the fat. Here are some suggestions:
- Try the classic version with butter and salt. If you love strong flavors, use garlic salt instead of normal salt;
- If you prefer something more delicate, you can use sea salt, dill and a little butter;
- For a spicy touch, add salt, freshly ground black pepper and a little butter.
Step 9. Finished
Advice
- Use only a small amount of water to prevent the vegetables from overcooking.
- Try keeping the green beans whole instead of breaking them; this precaution prevents them from absorbing too much water and overcooking.
- Green beans taste best within 24 hours of harvesting or purchasing.
