Try this Lemon Pecan Green Beans recipe, or contribute your own.
- Carbohydrate 32.341135981 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 27.544310844 g
- Fiber 15.4221410125794 g
- Protein 8.255381134 g
- Saturated Fat 3.8460940162 g
- Serving Size 1 1 recipe (481g)
- Sodium 182.7875422 mg
- Sugar 16.9189949684206 g
- Trans Fat 0.867237711000004 g
- Calories 379 calories
Step-by-step
- Wash beans and remove ends. Sprinkle with salt.
- Arrange beans in a steamer basket and place over boiling water.
- Cover and steam for approximately 10 minutes, or until crisp-tender.
- Plunge green beans into cold water to stop cooking process.
- Drain and set aside.
- In large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add green onions and cook, stirring constantly, for three minutes.
- Add green beans, pecans, rosemary and lemon juice.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thoroughly heated.
- Sprinkle with lemon rind and garnish with lemon slice or fresh rosemary sprigs if desired.
The Citrus Element
Fresh lemon juice provides acidity that cuts through the rich fats in the olive oil and toasted nuts, but surface moisture on the beans can dilute this brightness. Pat the drained vegetables thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel before adding them to the skillet so the citrus adheres to the surface rather than pooling in the pan.
Gauging Crisp-Tender Texture
Steaming green beans for ten minutes over boiling water initiates cooking, but internal residual heat determines final doneness. Plunging the steaming produce into an ice bath drops the internal temperature immediately, halting chlorophyll degradation and locking in a bright green hue. Assess doneness by bending a bean; it should offer slight resistance before snapping cleanly without releasing excessive water.
Nutrient and Flavor Preservation
Fresh ingredients undergo distinct transformations compared to preserved counterparts when exposed to direct heat. Fresh herbs like dried rosemary release volatile oils slowly in a dry skillet, whereas fresh citrus zest contains essential oils that degrade under prolonged heat. Add the grated lemon rind at the very end of the cooking process to preserve its aromatic compounds.
