South Beach Green Beans With Garlic and Lemon

Another recipe from the South Beach Diet Parties & Recipes Cookbook. The book says that any good quality fresh green beans will do, but suggests that you look for haricots verts. the recipe looks marvelously fast and easy, especially if you use the pre-trimmed green beans from the supermarket. The book also suggests that the beans can be blanched one day in advance if you like. Another make-it-easier tip is to use minced garlic in a jar commonly found in supermarket produce sections (at least in California!).

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 pound of beans

Ingredients

• 1  lb green beans or 1  lb  French haricots vert, trimmed
• 1  tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  teaspoons lemon zest, freshly grated
• 1  tablespoon fresh lemon juice
•  salt and pepper

Directions

1. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add beans, return to a boil, and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Immediately drain in a colander and rinse under very cold water to stop cooking. Drain again and pat dry.
2. Heat oil in a large nonstick. Add garlic and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add beans and zest; cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are warmed through, about 2 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm OR at room temperature.