Thanksgiving Dinner

Almond Green Beans

This Almond Green Beans recipe is one of my favorite ways

to serve green beans. It's so simple to make, and it's
absolutely delicious. Toasted almonds offer the perfect
crunchy contrast to the tender green beans. A splash of lemon
juice covers it all.

Ingredients
12 ounces green beans, preferably green beans, trimmed
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 shallot , thinly sliced
½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more for seasoning
1 clove garlic , grated
½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
freshly ground black pepper. Fresh green beans, of course!
French green beans are the best here as they are more
tender than other green bean varieties.
Sliced Almonds – Their nutty crunch contrasts perfectly with
the tender, grassy green beans.
Shallot and Garlic – For a savory depth of flavour.
Extra virgin olive oil – To sauté the shallot and green beans. It
adds a nice richness that ties the whole dish together.
Fresh Lemon Juice – Its bright flavor balances out this simple
recipe.
And salt and pepper: so that all the flavors stand out!

Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and place a large
bowl of ice water nearby. Put the green beans in the boiling
water and blanch for 2 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge
into ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and transfer
to a towel to dry.
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds to
the dry skillet and toast until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove the almonds from the pan and reserve.
Add the oil to the pan (lower the heat if necessary), then add
the shallot and salt and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the green
beans and sauté, 2 to 4 minutes more, until the green beans
are heated through and tender. Remove skillet from heat, add
garlic and lemon juice, and stir. Season to taste with salt and
pepper and transfer to a serving plate. Top with the almonds
and serve.