Green Beans with a Kick

These green beans are on my husbands list of absolute favorite things I make. I think he requests these to be paired with a meal at least once a week. Thanksgiving 2010 was our first Thanksgiving as a married couple and we were given the task of making green beans. Instead of making your typical green bean casserole I wanted to make a healthier (yet festive) version of green beans. I searched for a while and came across an almond and green bean recipe on the Food Network (which I can no longer remember the exacts of). Since then, not only has it been a go to recipe for weekly meals but we also made them for Thanksgiving 2011 (which we hosted and prepared all on our own). I now make this recipe without exact measurements but by hand and taste.

Ingredients:

Green beans (frozen or fresh)

1 Large clove of garlic (or two small)

1 1/2 Tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup Thinly sliced almonds

Red pepper flakes (to taste)

Cayenne pepper (usually two slight dashes is plenty!)

Pinch of sugar

Pinch of sea salt

Directions:

Begin by heating up your EVOO, then add your garlic, almonds, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper. Once they are warmed up and the color is changing slightly in your almonds, toss green beans in and make sure the almond and spice mixture is coating the green beans. As your green beans begin to warm up add a pinch of sugar and salt. Mix thoroughly and let green beans finish cooking.

Enjoy!

Maci K