Garlic Green Beans

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans
• 2 tablespoons butter (or vegan butter, for vegan)
• 3 garlic cloves
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Fresh ground black pepper
• Optional adders: shredded Parmesan cheese, lemon juice or zest, toasted almonds

Instructions

1. Trim the green beans.
2. Place 1 ½ cups water into a saucepan or pot. If using a steamer basket without a handle, add it to the pot now: the water surface should be right under the basket. Bring the water to a boil.
3. Once boiling, add the green beans (in the steamer basket, if it has a handle). Steam with the lid on 4 to 5 minutes until just tender, testing with a fork to assess whether it’s done (cook 1 minute or so less if using French green beans, aka haricot verts).
4. Meanwhile, melt the butter and garlic over medium heat. Heat until the garlic is fragrant and just starting to become golden (about 1 minute), then immediately remove from the heat.
5. Carefully remove the beans to a bowl. Toss the beans with the garlic butter, kosher salt, and plenty of fresh ground black pepper. Taste and add a pinch more salt if desired.