Description
Festive green bean casserole elevates classic side dishes with crispy bacon and caramelized onions. Comfort meets celebration in this simple yet elegant Southern-inspired accompaniment perfect for bringing warmth to your holiday table.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Beans:
- 1 lb green beans, fresh
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Seasonings:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Finishing Touches:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash green beans under cold water, trimming the ends to remove any tough or discolored portions.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil, adding a pinch of salt to enhance flavor.
- Carefully submerge green beans into boiling water and blanch for 3-4 minutes until they turn bright green and become slightly tender.
- Immediately drain beans and plunge into an ice bath to halt cooking process and preserve vibrant color.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, allowing it to shimmer but not smoke.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
- Transfer blanched green beans into the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with garlic-infused oil.
- Sprinkle dried thyme, salt, and black pepper over the beans, stirring to distribute seasonings uniformly.
- Toast sliced almonds in a separate dry pan until golden brown and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add butter to the green bean skillet, allowing it to melt and create a glossy coating.
- Incorporate lemon zest, stirring gently to distribute the bright, citrusy notes.
- Sprinkle toasted almonds over the beans, providing a delightful crunch and nutty undertone.
- Finish by generously garnishing with grated parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.
- Transfer to a serving platter and present immediately while warm and aromatic.
Notes
- Customize blanching time based on green bean thickness to maintain perfect texture and vibrant green color.
- Toast almonds carefully as they can quickly burn; keep heat medium-low and stir constantly for even golden color.
- Swap parmesan with nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly version that maintains rich, savory flavor profile.
- Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary instead of dried to elevate the dish’s aromatic complexity and brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg