Name: Honey Lemon Glazed Green Beans
Ingredients: Fresh Green Beans: 1 pound, trimmed. The star of the show, providing a crisp and slightly grassy base for the glaze. Look for firm, bright green beans without blemishes for the best texture and flavor.; Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons. Used for sautéing, olive oil adds a subtle fruity flavor and helps the green beans cook evenly. You can also use avocado oil or another neutral cooking oil.; Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Garlic provides a savory depth that complements the sweet and tangy glaze. Freshly minced garlic is recommended for the best flavor.; Honey: 3 tablespoons. The natural sweetener in the glaze, honey adds a beautiful floral sweetness and a glossy finish. Choose a good quality honey for the best flavor – wildflower, clover, or orange blossom honey would all work wonderfully.; Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed. Fresh lemon juice brings a bright, zesty acidity that cuts through the sweetness of the honey and enhances the overall flavor profile. Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, but fresh juice is always superior.; Lemon Zest: 1 teaspoon. Lemon zest adds an extra layer of intense lemon flavor and aromatic oils to the glaze, making it even more vibrant and fragrant. Be sure to zest only the yellow part of the lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith.; Soy Sauce (or Tamari for Gluten-Free): 1 tablespoon. Soy sauce adds a savory umami depth to the glaze, balancing the sweetness and acidity and enhancing the overall complexity of the flavor. Tamari is a gluten-free alternative with a similar flavor profile.; Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): ¼ teaspoon, or to taste. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle hint of heat that beautifully complements the sweet and tangy flavors. Adjust the amount to your preference or omit if you prefer no spice.; Salt: To taste. Salt is essential for seasoning and enhancing the flavors of all the ingredients. Use kosher salt or sea salt for the best flavor.; Black Pepper: Freshly ground, to taste. Freshly ground black pepper adds a warm, pungent spice that complements the other flavors in the dish.

Ingredients

Fresh Green Beans: 1 pound, trimmed. The star of the show, providing a crisp and slightly grassy base for the glaze. Look for firm, bright green beans without blemishes for the best texture and flavor.
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons. Used for sautéing, olive oil adds a subtle fruity flavor and helps the green beans cook evenly. You can also use avocado oil or another neutral cooking oil.
Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Garlic provides a savory depth that complements the sweet and tangy glaze. Freshly minced garlic is recommended for the best flavor.
Honey: 3 tablespoons. The natural sweetener in the glaze, honey adds a beautiful floral sweetness and a glossy finish. Choose a good quality honey for the best flavor – wildflower, clover, or orange blossom honey would all work wonderfully.
Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed. Fresh lemon juice brings a bright, zesty acidity that cuts through the sweetness of the honey and enhances the overall flavor profile. Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, but fresh juice is always superior.
Lemon Zest: 1 teaspoon. Lemon zest adds an extra layer of intense lemon flavor and aromatic oils to the glaze, making it even more vibrant and fragrant. Be sure to zest only the yellow part of the lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith.
Soy Sauce (or Tamari for Gluten-Free): 1 tablespoon. Soy sauce adds a savory umami depth to the glaze, balancing the sweetness and acidity and enhancing the overall complexity of the flavor. Tamari is a gluten-free alternative with a similar flavor profile.
Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): ¼ teaspoon, or to taste. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle hint of heat that beautifully complements the sweet and tangy flavors. Adjust the amount to your preference or omit if you prefer no spice.
Salt: To taste. Salt is essential for seasoning and enhancing the flavors of all the ingredients. Use kosher salt or sea salt for the best flavor.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground, to taste. Freshly ground black pepper adds a warm, pungent spice that complements the other flavors in the dish.

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Instructions

Prepare the Green Beans: Begin by thoroughly washing the green beans under cold running water. Trim the ends of the green beans. You can snap them by hand or use a knife. If the green beans are particularly long, you can cut them in half for easier cooking and serving. Ensuring the green beans are trimmed and ready will make the cooking process smoother and faster.
Blanch the Green Beans (Optional but Recommended): Blanching the green beans briefly helps to retain their vibrant green color and achieve a crisp-tender texture. Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes, until they turn bright green and are slightly tender-crisp. Immediately transfer the blanched green beans to an ice bath (a bowl of ice water) to stop the cooking process. This step is crucial for preventing overcooking and maintaining the desired texture. Once cooled, drain the green beans thoroughly and set aside. If you prefer a more tender green bean, you can skip blanching and sauté for a slightly longer time.
Sauté Garlic in Olive Oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter. Sautéing the garlic first infuses the oil with its flavor, creating a flavorful base for the glaze.
Add Green Beans and Sauté: Add the blanched and drained green beans to the skillet with the sautéed garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the green beans are heated through and tender-crisp. If you skipped blanching, sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the green beans reach your desired level of tenderness, ensuring they are cooked through but still retain a slight bite.
Prepare the Honey Lemon Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, soy sauce (or tamari), and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and the glaze is smooth and emulsified. This glaze is the heart of the recipe, providing the signature sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.
Glaze the Green Beans: Pour the honey lemon glaze over the green beans in the skillet. Toss gently to coat the green beans evenly with the glaze. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the glaze to thicken slightly and cling to the green beans. Be careful not to overcook at this stage, as the honey can burn if cooked for too long at high heat. The goal is to create a glossy, flavorful coating on the green beans.
Season and Serve: Season the Honey Lemon Glazed Green Beans with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or honey to your preference. Transfer the glazed green beans to a serving dish and serve immediately while warm. Garnish with extra lemon zest or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added visual appeal, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 85
Fat: 4g