Easy Green Beans with Gremolata and Pine Nuts
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A classic Italian side dish that always wins over even those who don't like vegetables!
Author:
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • ¾ - 1 lb. French green beans (haricots verts), trimmed
  • 2 small cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 TBSP. lemon zest, grated
  • 2 TBSP. flat-leaf parsley, stems removed, minced
  • 4 TBSP. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 4 TBSP. extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ - ¾ tsp. sea salt
  • ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 TBSP. toasted pine nuts
Instructions
  1. Set a medium pot of water over high heat and bring to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch them for 3-5 minutes (depending on their size), until tender but still crisp. Drain the beans in a colander and immerse them into a bath of ice water and ice cubes to stop the cooking. This step will help preserve their green color.
  2. To make the gremolata, in a small bowl, toss together the garlic, lemon zest and parsley and set aside (if you do not like the flavor of raw garlic, see Step 3). Grate the Parmesan cheese and set aside. Toast the pine nuts in a skillet and set aside.
  3. When ready to serve, heat the olive oil in a sauté pan, (large enough to accommodate them) over medium-high heat. Drain the beans from their ice bath and pat them dry. Then, add them to the pan. Season with salt and pepper, and lightly sauté, turning frequently, until coated with olive oil and heated through. If you do not like the flavor of raw garlic, add that to the skillet with the green beans before mixing it with the other gremolata ingredients. Otherwise, add the gremolata all at once to the sautéed beans.
  4. Turn off the heat and toss with the gremolata. Top with the Parmesan and the pine nuts and serve warm or at room temperature.
Recipe by Marilena's Kitchen at https://marilenaskitchen.com/easy-green-beans-with-gremolata-and-pine-nuts/