Green beans are one of the most popular vegetables in the world. They are tasty, affordable, and available all year round. Although they have been grown for centuries, their popularity only increased after they were featured in the movie Ghost, set in a small town in Michigan. Today, you can find green bean recipes everywhere from Italian pasta sauces to African stews. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate more green vegetables into your diet and are just getting started cooking with fresh greens, this article is for you! In this guide you will discover how to cook fresh green beans safely at home so that you don’t end up throwing them away. Even if you’ve never cooked with green beans before or don’t eat them very often, you will still find helpful tips so that you can enjoy them more often without worrying about getting sick from eating under-cooked greens.
How to cook fresh green beans on stove
Since green beans are easy to grow indoors, many people choose to grow their own for the sake of convenience. This allows you to enjoy fresh green beans all year round, which is especially convenient for those who live in colder climates. Select fresh green beans that are bright green and smooth with no signs of yellowing or wrinkling. You can select beans that are slightly smaller than average size if you desire. Clean and snap the stem off each bean so that they will be easier to prepare. To clean, remove any dirt, sand, or excess flower. Wash beans thoroughly in a large bowl of water with a mild soap. Next, remove any discolored spots on the beans and remove any damaged parts. Blanching will help with any discolored spots or damaged parts. To blanch beans, place them in a large pot of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and let sit for an additional 2 minutes. Drain the beans and place them in an airtight container.
How to cook fresh green Beans from the garden
Once you select and clean beans, it’s time to get harvesting! If you grow your own fresh green beans, you will have more control over when you harvest them and less chance of damage due to weather. The key to growing fresh green beans is to plant them in a location that gets full sunlight and has good drainage. Beans prefer a warm and sunny location, but they also need adequate drainage. If you don’t have experience growing vegetables in your backyard or have never grown green beans before, you can purchase them from the store. However, many people choose to grow their own fresh green beans for the sake of convenience and because it is a low-maintenance crop. Begin by scouting out your garden for locations that have full sunlight and have good drainage. If you have a hill in your backyard, consider planting them there to increase their exposure to sunlight. Next, remove any existing plants from the planting spots and dig holes for each plant to be about 8 inches deep. Make sure to mark each hole so that you don’t accidentally plant two beans in the same hole. Start seeds indoors 8 weeks before the last frost so that they are fully developed before the outdoor planting season begins. When it’s warm enough outside, begin planting seeds at the recommended spacing of 3 to 6 inches apart. When you begin harvesting fresh green beans, you will want to pick them every two to three weeks. When harvesting your fresh green beans, you want to pick them while they are bright green and they have a fresh scent. If you notice that the beans are yellowing or starting to wilt, it is not safe to eat and should be removed from the garden.
How long to cook fresh green beans
The length of time that you blanch and then cook fresh green beans will depend on your preference and the method that you choose. Blanching - To blanch beans, simply place them in a pot of water and bring the water to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and let sit for an additional 2 minutes. Drain the beans and place them in an airtight container. Cooking - When you are ready to cook fresh green beans, simply blanch them as described above, then steam, boil, or saute them in a pan with oil or butter. The length of time that you blanch and then cook fresh green beans will depend on your preference and the method that you choose. A brief note on blanching - while blanching will help remove any dirt or sand that may be on your beans, some minerals are necessary for health and will not be removed. It is recommended that you save the blanching water and use it to prepare your next batch of vegetables.
How to cook fresh green beans with potatoes
If you are a fan of fresh green beans and potatoes together, you are in for a treat! This classic pairing is simple and inexpensive to make, making it a perfect side for any meal. Start by boiling the potatoes until they are soft enough to eat. You can either make the potatoes in advance or buy them pre-made from the store. If you make them in advance, make sure to refrigerate them until you are ready to use them for safety purposes. Next make the fresh green beans. Place them in a pot with enough water to cover the beans and bring the water to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and let sit for 2 minutes. Drain the beans and place in an airtight container.
How to cook fresh green beans with bacon
Have you had fresh green beans with bacon before? If not, this pairing is a must try! This classic combination is simple and inexpensive to make, making it perfect for any meal. Start by making the green beans. Place them in a pot with enough water to cover the beans and bring the water to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and let sit for 2 minutes. Drain the beans and place in an airtight container. Next, make the bacon. Cook the bacon until it is crispy and set the bacon aside until you are ready to use it. To assemble the dish, add the sauteed green beans to the potato hash along with the crisp bacon. Enjoy!
How to cook fresh green beans in oven
Baking fresh green beans in the oven is a simple way to cook them and it is a convenient way to prepare them as well. Start by preheating the oven to 350 F and lining a baking sheet with foil. Next, place the green beans in a large bowl and add enough water to cover the beans. Place the covered bowl in the oven and blanch the beans for 10 to 15 minutes or until the beans are fork tender. After the beans have been blanched, remove them from the bowl and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the beans for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are crisp and the edges are browned.
Tips for Cooking Fresh Green Beans
- Make sure you select fresh green beans that are bright green and smooth with no signs of yellowing or wrinkling. You can select beans that are slightly smaller than average size if you desire. - Clean and snap the stem off each bean so that they will be easier to prepare. To clean, remove any dirt, sand, or excess flower. Wash beans thoroughly in a large bowl of water with a mild soap. - Next, remove any discolored spots on the beans and remove any damaged parts. Blanching will help with any discolored spots or damaged parts. - If you are growing your own fresh green beans, you will have more control over when you harvest them and less chance of damage due to weather. - The length of time that you blanch and then cook fresh green beans will depend on your preference and the method that you choose. A brief note on blanching - while blanching will help remove any dirt or sand that may be on your beans, some minerals are necessary for health and will not be removed. It is recommended that you save the blanching water and use it to prepare your next batch of vegetables. - When you are ready to cook fresh green beans, simply blanch them as described above, then steam, boil, or saute them in a pan with oil or butter.