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Perfect Green Beans with Toasted Almonds and Herb Oil

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Tender-crisp green beans are tossed with golden toasted almonds and a vibrant homemade herb oil for an easy, elegant side dish. This recipe is quick to make, full of fresh flavor, and perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (for blanching water)
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds (unsalted; slivered almonds work in a pinch)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (or substitute olive oil for dairy-free/vegan)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves (or chives, or a mix)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 small garlic clove, smashed
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Extra lemon wedges (for serving, optional)
  • Flaky sea salt (for sprinkling at the end)

Instructions

  1. Trim the stem ends off the green beans, rinse under cold water, and set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add kosher salt.
  2. Add green beans to boiling water and cook for 3-4 minutes, until just tender but still crisp and bright green.
  3. Immediately transfer beans to a large bowl of ice water (or run under cold water in a colander) to stop the cooking. Let chill for 2-3 minutes until completely cool, then drain and pat dry.
  4. In a small food processor or blender, combine olive oil, parsley, basil, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Blend until herbs are finely chopped and oil is bright green, about 20 seconds.
  5. Heat unsalted butter (or olive oil) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced almonds and cook, stirring often, until golden brown and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer toasted almonds to a plate.
  6. Wipe out the skillet if needed and return to medium-high heat. Add drained green beans and sauté for 1-2 minutes to warm through. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Transfer green beans to a serving platter. Drizzle with herb oil and scatter toasted almonds over the top. Toss gently to combine or serve as-is.
  8. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if desired.

Notes

For vegan or dairy-free, use olive oil instead of butter for toasting almonds. Nut-free option: substitute pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. Use the freshest green beans for best flavor and texture. Blanching and shocking in ice water keeps beans vibrant and crisp. Herb oil can be made with any fresh herbs you have on hand. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: green beans, toasted almonds, herb oil, easy side dish, vegetarian, gluten-free, holiday, healthy, quick, fresh herbs

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/perfect-green-beans-with-toasted-almonds-and-herb-oil-easy-side-dish/