Green Beans Amandine

Serves 6-8 as a side

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 lb. green beans, trimmed
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (omit for a vegan option or use butter flavored olive oil) 
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1 tsp. minced or pressed garlic (1 medium clove)
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (1 small lemon)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Boil 6 quarts of water and add beans to cook until barley crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water, spread out to dry. Heat butter and oil in a large skillet until butter is melted. Cook almonds in skillet, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer the almonds to a plate with a slotted spoon and heat the garlic the skillet on low about 30 seconds. Add the beans and increase the heat to meduim. Stir occasionally until the beans are lightly browned in a few places and crisp-tender, 5-8 minutes. Add lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with almonds sprinkled on top.