Garlic Pole Beans Recipe
I realized as I was perusing my past recipes that I haven’t posted many side dishes. For today’s recipe, I’ve made Garlic Pole Beans in an effort to fill in that gap. Our weeknight dinners typically consist of some form of protein, such as pork tenderloin, some form of beef, fish, or chicken, and a couple of vegetables. Green beans make the rotation as a side dish at least once every couple of weeks, and this recipe is my favorite preparation.
Pole beans get their name because they grow as a vine and climb a pole or stake as they mature. These beans are broader and flatter in appearance than regular green beans. I love the texture and flavor of these beans, and they’re my preference if I can find them. I’ve been fortunate this summer to find delicious pole beans at our neighborhood organic farmer’s market.
You’ve probably read my description before of the old school method of cooking vegetables in the South. Southern cooks from my childhood prepared green beans with some form of pork and cooked them long enough to lose most of their color and texture. Although this preparation takes me back to my roots and serves as a comfort food, I much prefer green beans that still have some color and a little crunch.
The technique I use in this recipe results in perfectly cooked and flavorful green beans. I blanch the beans in salted water for four to five minutes and then shock them in an ice bath. Just before serving, I saute garlic and the beans in butter with salt and pepper. So simple, yet delicious.
Garlic Pole Beans
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds pole beans (string beans can be substituted), stem end snapped off
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Salt and pepperInstructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch beans for 4 to 5 minutes until they are still bright green but slightly tender. Don't over cook as you'll want them to still be a little crunchy.
2. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. Drain beans and place in ice bath to stop them from cooking. When completely cooled, remove beans from water and drain well. If you're preparing them ahead of time, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Transfer garlic to skillet and cook for 30 to 45 seconds. Transfer beans to skillet and toss with tongs. Continue tossing until beans are warmed through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately2.5
http://www.southernboydishes.com/2014/07/22/garlic-pole-beans/
I grew up in small town Mississippi eating traditional southern fare.A lifelong foodie, I started cooking and experimenting with food at a very young age. I started Southern Boy Dishes as a creative outlet and a way to share my love of food.
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