Green Beans with Almonds (haricots verts avec amandes)

How many people do you know that don't like green beans? Maybe they have never eaten them fresh, or perhaps they thought they were fresh, but were a stringy variety or were old. A good solution would be French Style Green Beans. A little pricier? Yes. But they get devoured around our table and there aren't any of those embarrassing thread-like strings dangling on the edge of your dinner plate.
In Middle Tennessee, I have found that a pre-measured package of French Green Beans works best for this cooking method. Good, quality beans can be found year-round at Publix (8oz bag $3.29) or Harris Teeter (1lb bag $4.99). I use only 1/2 pound at a time for a family of 4. Oh yeah, and they have an expiration date on the package, too.

If you want to sound sophisticated when serving your French Green Beans, tell everyone that in France they are called haricots verts avec amandes. (air-ree Ko Vair uh-vek ah mahnd)

Green Beans with Almonds

1/2 lb French style green beans
1-2TBSP olive oil
1/2 medium onion finely chopped
1/4 c less of sliced almonds
salt and pepper to taste

Cut the ends off of the green beans. Wash and place in a 1 inch of water in a sauce pan. Cook over medium heat for 6 minutes. remove from heat and leave the lid off of the pan. (I remove 12 or so beans for my 4 year-old's plate before I add these to the onion/almond mixture.) In a skillet, saute the onions in the olive oil. Transfer the green beans to the already cooked onions. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and almonds. Warm and toss in the pan over med/low heat. Serve immediately.