This dish not only makes your humble green beans fancy, but it’s absolutely delicious and elegant in its simplicity. Vibrant French style green beans tossed with brown butter, toasty almonds (that’s where almondine comes from), shallots, garlic and a squeeze of lemon to brighten it in the end. This French classic is a MUST for this year’s Holiday entertaining… But then, I think why just for holidays? This side dish is perfect for anything that you have green beans with. Move aside those steamed beans and start tossing your green beans with some almonds on any regular night. It’s as fast as it is fancy. All you need is few ingredients that you can count on your hand and 10 minutes of your time. And I bet you, it would be hard to stop popping them in your mouth before they even reach your dinner table. I mean, how good can simple green beans be… But some how they are. Trust the French when it comes to culinary marvels… Check out our collection of favorite Green Bean Recipes!
What is Green Beans Almondine?
Haricots Verts Almandine, as it’s known in French. It’s pronounced as “Almandine” and anglisized as Almondine. This simply translates into almond green beans. This green bean dish is simplicity at its best, and would really stand out on any holiday table. Almondine, or almandineis, is a culinary term for an almond garnish. Anything with almond as a garnish can be called almandine, like fish almondine, chicken almondine and so forth. Such is their love for almonds, that they often finds a way into many French dishes. Green Beans Almondine is simply tender, yet crunchy green beans tossed with tender shallots and garlic with bright lemony notes, all topped with buttery toasty almonds. There are little add-ons here and there, but the basic concept is the same. Perfectly cooked, flavored green beans with almonds as a constant.
Tips for perfect Green Beans Almondine
This dish is super simple. Yet to make it absolutely delicious, you need that ingredient ratio perfected and a few simple cooking tips and methods.
Green Beans Almondine recipe ingredients
Fresh French style Green BeansAlmonds – We used slivered almonds. You can used sliced almonds too. I go heavy on the almonds, as we just can’t get enough of those toasty nuts on my green beans.Shallots and Garlic – They add sweet and savory notes to the dish. You can use regular onion in absence of shallots.Fresh lemon juice and lemon zestButterSalt and pepper
How to make Green Beans Almondine
Start by blanching the green beans: Boil water in a large pot with at least 1 tablespoon of salt. Add in the green beans and cook for 2 minutes, until they are crisp-tender and bright green. Transfer the to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Then, drain them in a colander. You can dry them and keep them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator if prepping them ahead of time for your holiday dinner. You can blanch them up to a day in advance. Toast the almonds: Melt the butter in a skillet and sauté slivered or sliced almonds. Stir them occasionally and keep a close watch so as not to burn them. They should be light brown in color. Just toasty and buttery. Plate them out. Sauté shallots and garlic: In the same pan, add a little more butter and sauté sliced shallots and garlic till they start turning brown. Add in green beans and cook for a minute, or until warm. Season: Squeeze in lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer green beans to a serving platter. Top generously with browned almonds and fresh lemon zest. Admire and try to resist plopping them in your mouth before they make it to the dinner table.
Some variations
There are few additional toppings and add ins that go great with green beans almondine…
What to serve Green Beans Almondine with
Well, we wonder how many of you are going to ditch your regular boring steamed green beans or heavy ”same old, same old” rich green bean casserole this holiday season and go this Francaise route. They are easy and quick and perfect to feed the large crowd. Just double or triple the recipe and see those admiring glances when you take that platter to your holiday spread. Have fun and enjoy this holiday season. Merry Christmas from GypsyPlate…
Green Beans Almondine, on my Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try these other great holiday sides!Chili Maple Glazed Sweet PotatoesCreamed Peas with Pearl OnionsSweet Potato Casserole with Pecan StreuselGoat Cheese Mashed PotatoesSouthern Squash CasseroleCherry Tomato GratinGreen Rice CasseroleSuccotash
