When picking green beans this summer, look for beans that are tender, smooth and a vibrant green color. Beans should have a firm texture and ‘snap’ when broken. Avoid any beans that are limp, or have bruises or brown spots.
Green beans are best stored unwashed in a plastic container in the refrigerator. To keep beans their freshest, do not snap off the ends of the beans before storing. If refrigerated properly, green beans will keep for 5 to 7 days. Fresh green beans can also be frozen for future use. For best freezing results, steam beans for 2-3 minutes and then place beans in ice cold water to stop the cooking process. Place completely cooled beans in freezer safe packaging. Green beans will keep frozen for 3 to 6 months.
As with all vegetables, the healthiest way to cook green beans is to steam them. However, green beans can also be boiled, sautéed, roasted and even eaten raw.
Have a picky eater that won’t even touch these glorious greens? Well they won’t be able to pass up these crunchy Green Bean Fries!
Green Bean Fries
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Serves: 5-6
1 pound fresh green beans
1/3 cup ranch salad dressing
1 ½ cups Panko bread crumbs
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Rinse green beans in lukewarm water and dry completely. Snap or cut off both ends of the beans.
Toss prepared beans in ranch dressing. Dip ranch covered green beans in panko bread crumbs and the place beans in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake beans in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Chef Heather attended and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, but has been developing family friendly meals since she was nine years old in her mother’s kitchen. She is an avid crockpotter and knows how to get food on the table in a pinch. She currently serves as a writer and recipe developer for meal planning site www.foodonthetable.com.
