In the realm of culinary delights, few sights are as enticing as a plate of vibrant green beans, their crisp texture and delicate flavor a testament to the bounty of nature. Whether you prefer them steamed, sautéed, or roasted, the key to unlocking their full potential lies in achieving that perfect crunch that elevates them from a mere ingredient to a culinary sensation. This article delves into the secrets of crafting crunchy green beans, exploring various cooking techniques and offering tips to ensure they retain their crispness and vibrancy. From selecting the freshest beans to mastering the art of blanching and quick-cooking, we will guide you through the steps to create a dish that will delight your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
GREEN BEANS & TOFU WITH CRUNCHY THAI PEANUT SAUCE
Another wonderful vegetarian recipe from Mollie Katzen's cookbook "Vegetable Heaven." This is one of my favorite ways to prepare tofu, and you get the added benefits of vegetables and flavorful sauce. Keep in mind that the fresher and firmer the green beans, the better this will taste. Tastes best served with basmati or jasmine rice.
Provided by hannahactually
Categories Soy/Tofu
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- For the stir-fry:.
- Place the peanuts in a blender, and grind briefly until they form a coarse meal. Set aside.
- Heat a medium-sized heavy skillet. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil, and the ginger and garlic. Sauté for a few minutes, then add the crushed peanuts and the lemon zest. Cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until the peanuts are lightly toasted. Remove from heat and set aside.
- As the peanut mixture is cooking, heat a large, nonstick wok or deep skillet. Drizzle in a little oil. When it is very hot, add the tofu and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook over high heat for 10 to 15 minutes to let the water evaporate, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with lemon juice, reduce the heat, and cook for a few minutes longer. Transfer the tofu to the pan containing the peanut mixture and set aside.
- Scrape out the wok or skillet if necessary, and return to the heat. Let it get very hot, then add the remaining scant tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot, add the green beans. (The pan should sizzle when they hit.) Stir-fry over high heat for about 5 minutes, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and a small amount of red pepper flakes.
- Stir-fry just a few minutes longer, or until the beans are divinely tender-crisp (mostly crisp, but just tender enough). Add the peanut-tofu mixture and toss everything together. Serve right away, over rice.
- For the peanut sauce:.
- Combine peanut butter and water in a bowl; mash and mix until uniform. Add remaining ingredients, and stir until combined. Add a little more water it you prefer it thinner. Salt to taste. Serve warm or room temperature, drizzled over hot green beans.
CRUNCHY GREEN BEANS
Green beans taste terrific all by themselves, but my mom has managed to improve on Mother Nature! She adds mushrooms, celery and crisp slivered almonds to dress up the popular green vegetable. -Becky Brunette, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 15m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place the beans in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute celery and mushrooms in oil until tender. Combine the cornstarch, cold water and soy sauce until smooth; gradually stir into celery mixture. Stir in bouillon. bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Drain beans and add to the celery mixture. Stir in almonds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 151 calories, Fat 12g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 316mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
CRUNCHY GARAM MASALA BAKED GREEN BEANS
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine RawSpiceBar's Punjabi Garam Masala spices, sea salt and breadcrumbs in a medium bowl. 2. Toss green beans in olive oil then coat with spice and breadcrumbs mixture. 3. Transfer green beans to baking sheet and place baking sheet in the oven. 4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then flip them and bake for another 2-5 minutes until crispy.
CRUNCHY GREEN BEANS WITH BACON
This is a great summertime recipe. The secret ingredient (not so secret anymore!) adds a great flavor.
Provided by stacyseb
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Green Beans
Time 40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels. Reserve 1/4 cup bacon grease in the skillet; discard remainder.
- While the bacon is cooking, place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add beans, cover, and steam until tender, 2 to 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Add onion and garlic to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Cook over medium heat until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in butter until melted. Add green beans, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper; toss until combined. Mix in crushed chips.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 179.1 calories, Carbohydrate 16.8 g, Cholesterol 17.8 mg, Fat 10.4 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 438.4 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
Tips:
- For the best flavor and texture, use fresh green beans. If using frozen green beans, thaw them completely before cooking.
- To keep the green beans crispy, cook them quickly over high heat. Do not overcook them, or they will become mushy.
- Season the green beans with your favorite spices and herbs. Some popular options include garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- For a crunchy coating, bread the green beans before frying them. You can use a simple breading made with flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, or you can get creative and use different breading ingredients, such as crushed nuts, seeds, or pretzels.
- Serve the green beans hot and crispy, as a side dish or appetizer.
Conclusion:
Crunchy green beans are a delicious and versatile side dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are easy to make and can be customized to your own taste preferences. Whether you prefer them fried, roasted, or sautéed, crunchy green beans are a surefire hit.
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