Green Beans with Garlic and Lemon

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. green beans, trimmed
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp grated lemon zest
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Makes 8 Servings

1. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add eans, return to a boil, and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under very cold water to stop cooking. Drain again and pat dry.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add beans and zest; cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are warmed through about 2 minutes. stir in lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Parties & Holidays Cookbook. Green beans add a lovely color to the plate anytime of year. Green beans are delicious when cooked, blanched and grilled in olive oil and garlic for that extra kick of flavor. Even though the recipe calls for lemon juice, it is optional in my opinion if you  don't want to spoil your beans.