Green Beans

BEANS

The best way to choose beans is at a market that sells them loose so that you can pick out pods of equal size (for uniform cooking). The beans should have a fresh, vivid color and a velvety feel, and they should be straight and slender(no thicker than a pencil), with a firm texture. When broken, they should snap crisply (although the very thin haricots verts are not as crisp).

Serving size: 1 cup

Calories (kcal): 30.0
Total fat (g): 0.1
Potassium (mg): 202
Calcium (mg): 36
Iron (mg): 1.0
Vitamin C (mg): 16
Vitamin A (i.u.): 647
Folacin (mcg): 35.3

GREEK-STYLE GREEN BEANS

Serves 4.

1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch lengths
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1 onion, chopped or thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
3/4 cup peeled, seeded, and diced tomato
1 tbsp. tomato puree (optional)
salt
pepper
Lemon wedges, for garnish

Drop green beans into a large pot of salted water and cook until firm-tender or al dente. Drain and refresh in ice water. Drain again and set aside.
Bring the veggie stock to a boil in a large saute pan. Add the onion and simmer, covered, until tender and translucent, about 10 mins. Add the garlic, oregano, and optional tomato puree and simmer about 5 mins. Add the green beans and simmer until tender and some of the sauce is absorbed, 5 to 7 mins. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with lemon wedges.

QUICK PICKLED GREEN BEANS

Store in refrigerator up to 1 week, stirring occasionally.

Serves 8.

2 pounds fresh green beans
2 cups water
2 cups cider vinegar
2 tbsp. sugar
4 tsp. dill seeds, crushed
2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cloves garlic, crushed

Wash beans; trim ends, and remove strings. Place beans into a large saucepan of boiling water, cook 5 mins. Drain and plunge beans into ice water; drain again. Place beans in a large shallow, nonmetal dish; set aside.
Combine 2 cups water and next 7 ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Pour mixture over beans; cover and marinate in refrigerator 8 hours, stirring occasionally.

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