Imagine a side dish that's so irresistibly delicious, it turns ordinary green beans into a culinary masterpiece that will have your dinner guests begging for the recipe. These Blistered Green Beans with Crushed Almonds are not just a vegetable side, they're a flavor explosion waiting to happen – crispy, golden-charred beans topped with toasted almonds that deliver a perfect crunch in every single bite. Get ready to elevate your cooking game with this simple yet spectacular recipe that takes just 15 minutes from start to finish!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash the green beans under cold running water, then pat them completely dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to ensure proper blistering.
- Trim the ends of the green beans, removing any tough or discolored portions, and discard them.
- Place a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over high heat and allow it to become extremely hot, which is crucial for achieving a proper blistered effect.
- Add olive oil to the hot skillet and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan evenly.
- Carefully add green beans to the hot skillet in a single layer, allowing them to sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to develop a deep golden-brown char.
- Use tongs to turn and rotate the beans, ensuring even blistering on multiple sides, which should take approximately 6-8 minutes total.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the beans during the last 2 minutes of cooking, tossing to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- While beans are cooking, roughly chop almonds using a sharp knife or pulse in a food processor to create a coarse, uneven texture.
- Once beans are blistered and tender-crisp, remove from heat and transfer to a serving platter.
- Immediately garnish the hot beans with crushed almonds, allowing the nuts to slightly toast from the residual heat.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy, ensuring the best texture and flavor experience.
Tips
- • Ensure your green beans are 100% dry before cooking – moisture is the enemy of achieving that perfect golden-brown char. • Use a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan for the best heat distribution and blistering effect. • Don't overcrowd the pan – cook beans in a single layer to guarantee maximum crispiness. • High heat is crucial: your pan should be smoking hot before adding the beans. • Move the beans minimally in the first few minutes to develop those gorgeous dark spots. • Toast the almonds right in the residual heat of the pan for an extra layer of nutty flavor. • Season generously but carefully – the garlic powder and salt should enhance, not overpower, the beans' natural taste.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
