lynnescountrykitchen.net
Green beans are available year round, with a peak season of May to October. Green beans are also called string beans and snap beans. Green beans were once called string beans. Today they are stringless; just break off the end as you wash them. Leave whole or cut into desired lengths.
Wash beans thoroughly in clear, cool water. Lift beans from the wash water and leave garden debris behind. Rinse again. Beans can be cooked whole, cut crosswise, diagonally or French-cut. If you want sweet tasting, crisp fresh beans, cut them as little as possible. Cut older, more mature beans in the French style.
Boiling, steaming or microwaving are popular ways to prepare beans. Stir-frying preserves the best qualities of the fresh bean. Whatever cooking method you choose, remember to cook beans as little as possible using the smallest amount of water as possible.
TIP - The fewer beans in the pan, the quicker they cook and the better they taste. If cooking more than one pound at a time, use separate pans.
Boiling Method (my favorite) - In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water to a gentle boil. Add trimmed green beans and cook, uncovered, 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender (you may need to experiment with the degree of doneness you like). NOTE - You can also use a steamer basket.
REMEMBER - The beans will continue to cook after you take them out of the boiling water. Either take them out just before they are cooked the way you like or plunge them in ice water immediately to stop the cooking process.
Will keep for about 4 days, wrapped in plastic bag or wrap, refrigerated.
Flavor Enhancers - Dill, garlic, cumin, tarragon
Equivalents - 1 pound = about 4 cups
Baked Green Beans
Barbecued Green Beans
Bean-Mushroom Medley
Beans in Onion Sauce
Beans with Blue Cheese
Beef and Green Bean Casserole
Buttered Green Beans with Cashews
Chicken with French-Style Green Beans Over Rice
Citrus Green Bean Salad
Cooked Green or Wax Beans
Country-Style Green Beans
Creole Green Beans
Creole Wax Beans
Crumb Green Beans
Family Favorite Green Beans
Garden Green Beans with Bacon
Garden Green Beans with Hot Bacon Dressing
Garlic Green Beans
German-Style Green Beans
Gingered Green Beans
Green Bean Bredie (South Africa)
Green Bean Bundles
Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole 1
Green Bean Casserole 2
Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Mushrooms
Green Bean Garden Sauté
Green Bean Mushroom Medley
Green Bean Sauté
Green Beans and Fennel Ragout
Green Beans and Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Green Beans and Pan-Roasted Onions
Green Beans and Rice Amandine
Green Beans Caesar
Green Beans Deluxe
Green Beans in Wine Sauce
Green Beans Italian
Green Beans - Italian-Style
Green Beans - Italian-Style 2
Green Beans - Italian-Style 3
Green Beans Provencale
Green Beans Supreme
Green Beans with Almonds
Green Beans with Bacon
Green Beans with Cheese
Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes
Green Beans with Cream
Green Beans with Dill
Green Beans with Egg Sauce
Green Beans with Garlic and Basil
Green Beans with Garlic and Cheese
Green Beans with Lemon
Green Beans with Mushrooms
Green Beans with Mushrooms and Water Chestnuts
Green Beans with Pork
Green Beans with Potatoes and Bacon
Green Beans with Shallot Butter
Green Beans with Sour Cream
Green Beans with Toasted Slivered Almonds
Green Beans with Tomato Sauce
Green Beans Wrapped In Bacon
Herb Marinated Green Beans
Herbed Green Beans
Italian Green Beans
Italian Green Beans 2
Italian Green Beans with Mint
Italian-Style Green Beans
Lemon-And-Dill Green Beans
Lemon Green Beans
Lemon Green Beans 2
Marinated Green Beans
Marinated Green Beans 2
Mexican-Style Green Beans
Minted Green Beans
Mountain Green Beans
Nutty Green Beans and Carrots
Potatoes and Green Beans with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Roasted Green Beans
Roasted Italian Green Beans
Savory Green Beans
Savory Green Beans 2
Scalloped Green Beans
Simmered Green Beans
Snappy Green Beans
Spanish Green Beans
Spanish-Style Green Beans
Spicy Green Beans
Spicy Green Beans 2
Spicy Skillet Green Beans
Steamed Green Beans
Stir-Fried Green Beans
Stir-Fried Green Beans 2
Stir-Fried Green Beans and Pepper
String Beans with Scallions
Sweet and Sour "Schnibbled" Beans