3 Healthy Recipes to Serve Green Beans

Finding healthy and tasty side-dishes can be hard. Especially if you're cooking for guests - nobody wants to serve up plain "boring" veggies! One of my favourite side-dishes is green beans. They are budget-friendly, easy to prepare and go with pretty much anything! Here are three recipes for you to try that are easy to whip up and are packed with flavour!

Garlic & Lemon

Total time: 5 mins
Serves: 2
Dietary preferences:  Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free

Ingredients:

• 2 cups green beans
• 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 Tbsp almond flakes
• 1 tbs lemon zest
• Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Method:

1. Blanch beans in a pot of salted boiling water for 2 minutes, or until bright green and crisp. Drain.
2. Heat a frypan over medium heat and add oil. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the beans and continue to cook until coated in oil and heated through.
3. Add lemon zest and season with salt and pepper.

Capsicum Toss

Total time: 8 mins
Serves: 2
Dietary preferences:  Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free

Ingredients:

• 2 cups green beans
• 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• Half a capsicum cut into thin strips
• 1 shallot sliced
• 1 garlic clove minced
• Salt and fresh black pepper, to taste

Method:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add green beans, capsicum and remaining ingredients. Toss to coat.
2. Add ¼ cup water. Cook covered for 4-6 minutes, uncover and cook stirring often for a further 1-2 minutes or until water is evaporated.

Walnut & Balsamic

Total time: 5 mins
Serves: 2
Dietary preferences:  Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free

Ingredients:

• 2 cups green beans
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1 tbs balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup walnuts, toasted
• ½ tsp salt

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30-40 seconds until fragrant then take off heat.
2.  Steam green beans for 4-5 minutes or until tender.
3. Transfer green beans to a bowl, add walnuts, balsamic, garlic mixture, and salt. Toss to combine.