Green Beans: The Star of Supper

When it comes to enjoying green beans, it’s time to think outside the casserole.

A vine-growing vegetable, green beans can grow low to the ground—producing “bush” beans—or on plants that twist around a stake or trellis, which produce so-called “pole” beans. Unlike many other beans, green beans are eaten pod and all while the inner beans are immature.

Soft or crunchy, in a salad or soup, standing in for French fries or spaghetti, as a dipping snack or a classic side dish—there are many ways to enjoy green beans. No matter how you eat them, you’ll derive a bounty of nutritional benefits, including fiber and vitamin C, without sacrificing many calories. Green beans contain no fat, saturated fat, sodium or cholesterol.

Available year-round, green beans can be easy to overlook, especially if you grew up eating them as a side with every dinner. Fall in love with them again by preparing them in different, unfamiliar ways. Your palate will relish the change, and your nutrition will get a boost.

This green bean and mushroom medley is a tasty and healthy option to round out your dinner menu. Fair warning: It’s so flavorful that it may grab the spotlight from your entrée.

Ingredients
3 cups green beans (fresh, cut into 1-inch lengths)
2 carrots (cut into thick strips)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion (large, sliced)
1 pound mushrooms (fresh, sliced)
1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
½ tablespoon garlic salt
¼ cup almonds (toasted, slivered)

Instructions
Cook green beans and carrots in one inch of boiling water until tender. Drain the water. Heat a skillet and add oil, onions and mushrooms. Sauté. Cover skillet and let simmer on low for three minutes. Add green beans, carrots, lemon pepper seasoning and garlic salt. Increase heat to medium, cover skillet and cook for five minutes. Sprinkle almonds on top before serving.

To learn more about making healthy meals or planning a healthy diet, talk to our dieticians at Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center. Call (863) 422-6102 to make an appointment today.

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