America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Garlic-Lemon Green Beans with Toasted Bread Crumbs

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 13, 2011

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 8

Garlic-Lemon Green Beans with Toasted Bread Crumbs

Ingredients

2 slices high-quality sandwich bread slice (such as Pepperidge Farm), each slice torn into quarters3 tablespoons unsalted butter Salt and ground black pepper 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 6 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 tablespoons)2 teaspoons unbleached all-purpose flour ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves 1 ½ pounds green beans, stem ends trimmed1 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1 tablespoon lemon juice from 1 lemon

Instructions

  1. Process bread in food processor to even, fine crumbs, about ten 1 second pulses. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in 12 inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; when melted, add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl and stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and Parmesan; set aside.
  2. Wipe out skillet. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until garlic is golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in flour, red pepper flakes, and thyme, and then toss in green beans. Add chicken broth and increase heat to medium-high; cover and cook until beans are partly tender but still crisp at center, about 4 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and sauce has thickened slightly, about 4 minutes. Off heat, stir in lemon juice, and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving dish, sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs, and serve.
Garlic-Lemon Green Beans with Toasted Bread Crumbs

Garlic-Lemon Green Beans with Toasted Bread Crumbs

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 8

Ingredients

2 slices high-quality sandwich bread slice (such as Pepperidge Farm), each slice torn into quarters
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and ground black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
6 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 tablespoons)
2 teaspoons unbleached all-purpose flour
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 ½ pounds green beans, stem ends trimmed
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice from 1 lemon

Ingredients

2 slices high-quality sandwich bread slice (such as Pepperidge Farm), each slice torn into quarters
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and ground black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
6 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 tablespoons)
2 teaspoons unbleached all-purpose flour
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 ½ pounds green beans, stem ends trimmed
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice from 1 lemon

Ingredients

2 slices high-quality sandwich bread slice (such as Pepperidge Farm), each slice torn into quarters
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and ground black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
6 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 tablespoons)
2 teaspoons unbleached all-purpose flour
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 ½ pounds green beans, stem ends trimmed
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice from 1 lemon

Why This Recipe Works

To develop a streamlined green bean recipe that would employ just one pot and still yield tender beans and a flavorful sauce, we built the sauce in the pan first and then added the beans and some chicken broth (instead of water) for flavor.

Instructions

  1. Process bread in food processor to even, fine crumbs, about ten 1 second pulses. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in 12 inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; when melted, add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl and stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and Parmesan; set aside.
  2. Wipe out skillet. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until garlic is golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in flour, red pepper flakes, and thyme, and then toss in green beans. Add chicken broth and increase heat to medium-high; cover and cook until beans are partly tender but still crisp at center, about 4 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and sauce has thickened slightly, about 4 minutes. Off heat, stir in lemon juice, and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving dish, sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs, and serve.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.