Green Beans Almondine

Ingredients

• 2 pounds green beans, trimmed
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 shallots, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons salt for the blanching water

Before you cook

• Snap or cut the stem ends off the green beans.
• Fill a large bowl with ice water and set it near the stove.
• Slice the shallots thin and zest the lemon before juicing it.

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add the 2 tablespoons of salt.
2. Drop in the green beans and boil them for 4 minutes until they turn vivid green and bend without snapping.
3. Scoop the beans straight into the ice water to stop the cooking.
4. Drain them well and spread them on a towel to dry completely.
5. Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 4 minutes, shaking often, until they smell nutty and turn gold.
6. Tip the almonds out onto a plate.
7. Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium heat and let it cook for 3 minutes until the milk solids turn brown and the smell turns nutty.
8. Add the shallots and cook for 2 minutes until they soften.
9. Add the dry green beans and toss them in the browned butter for 3 minutes until heated through.
10. Stir in the almonds, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
11. Serve immediately while the almonds are still crisp.