Green Beans Blanching
Ingredient List
1 lb. Fresh Green Beans (ends trimmed)
1 gallon Hot Water
1 Tbsp. Salt
Ice Water, as needed
CHEF NOTES
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You can use this technique for other green vegetables like broccoli, kale and Swiss chard.
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Cooking too long will make green vegetables turn "Army" green (grey/green). So, you must have water boiling before adding vegetables, don’t cover, and “shock” the vegetable in ice water to lock in bright green color.
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Blanched green beans are easy to eat as a snack, use with pasta or casseroles or divide up & season and warm up in microwave for meals
Steps to Prepare
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Use pot large enough so green beans fills it no more than half way. Do in batches if needed. Add water to pot to fill it to 3/4 full. Add salt and bring water up to a rolling boil (you can cover pot for this stage)
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Have large bowl or container ready. Fill 1/2 full with ice and water BEFORE putting green beans into water. (see below).
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Place green beans into boiling water. Stir to make sure beans are completely covered and separated in water.
DO NOT COVER ONCE GREEN BEANS ARE IN WATER!
4. Keep on high heat. Allow water to return to a boil. Cook until bright green and
large beans are tender to the bite (about 5-min). When ready, remove green
beans and submerge in the ice water. Stir to “shock” the beans and chill through
(again, about 5-min).
5. When completely chilled, remove and shake dry or spin in a salad spinner to
get off excess water.
If doing a lot of green beans, keep water boiling and do in stages so it is not crowded in the water. Add more ice as needed to shock.
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Sauteed Green Beans
Ingredient List
1 lb. Green Beans (raw, blanched, or frozen)
2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
1 oz Water
2 tsp Ranch OR Chicken Seasoning
Steps to Prepare
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Use a saute type pan that has a lid that will fit tightly.
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Add 2-Tbsp oil to pan and heat on high until almost smoking.
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Add green beans (they should sizzle hard), then cover with lid and shake to coat beans in oil.
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Keep on high heat for 2-3 minutes until beans start to get a little browning on the beans in spots from the searing.
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Now add a little water, cover again and shake pan. Turn heat to medium and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes (should be about 5-minutes total).
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Now turn off heat, add seasoning and toss. It is ready to serve.
CHEF NOTES
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If you want the green beans to be more tender (and brighter green) than do this recipe and use blanched green beans.
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If using frozen green beans, heat in microwave to thaw some so you can drain excess water before putting in the how pan. Also you won't need to add any extra water.
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Microwave Green Beans
Ingredient List
1 lb. Green Beans (raw, blanched, or frozen)
1 Tbsp Butter
2 tsp Ranch OR Chicken Seasoning
CHEF NOTES
Steps to Prepare
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Place green beans in microwave container with lid or in ziplock baggie.
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Add seasoning and and butter and toss to coat evenly.
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Crack the lid open or leave a small end of the baggie open to allow steam to build up but not burst the container.
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Set microwave to 30 seconds and cook on high. Remove and shake to coat with melted butter and return to microwave for another 60 seconds*
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Toss again and check to see if they are done. Be careful when opening as there is usually steam built up and it will burn you!
NOTE: This should be enough time for the blanched beans. You may need more time if you are using frozen beans or raw beans.
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Be careful when opening as there is usually steam built up and it will burn you!
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* Microwaves differ so you may need more or less time on the 2nd cook timing
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