We’re all there: counting down the days until the holidays and pushing through the home stretch. To be honest, the last thing I’ve wanted to do is cook when I get home. Even the simplest of recipes seems like a behemoth of a task.
Enter super simple recipes with minimal ingredients. More importantly- ones you want to eat. If I just kept the green beans plain, chances are I’d eat only a few and then go for the snacks in my cabinet. Adding just a few simple ingredients- lemon zest & garlic- makes it easy to wolf down a whole bowl of these.
When feeling particularly lazy, I don’t even mince the garlic. Use the flat part of a knife to crush the garlic clove before peeling it- it makes it easier to remove the peel- and toss it in whole with olive oil to infuse it with garlic flavor.
Lazy Green Beans Smothered in Lemon Zest & Garlic
Serves 2-4, depending on serving size and hunger level
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1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
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3-5 garlic cloves, crushed (depending on how big of a garlic fan you are- I’m a huge one)
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1-2 shallots, sliced thinly (optional- adds flavor, but not necessary if you want to keep things super minimal)
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1 pound green beans, trimmed
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zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
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sea salt, to taste
Heat a large saute pan over medium heat. Add in olive oil, garlic cloves and shallots (if using). Saute until garlic is brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add in green beans and saute until beans are slightly wilted and browned, about 10 minutes. Top with lemon juice, zest, and sea salt.