Preparation

Green beans are a very versatile food that we all ought to include in our diet. You can, for example, use them in stews, in salads or to make a snack or a garnish.

This recipe can be prepared in just a few minutes and can actually make a perfect garnish for a great deal of meat or fish dishes. You can of course also serve it on its own and it has a delicious combination of crunchy textures.

Whilst green beans are more than 90% water, they are in fact also a source of carotene, vitamin A and B group vitamins (including folic acid). What's more, they contain vitamin C, which has an antioxidant function. It is also worth taking into account their content in potassium, magnesium and calcium, which are necessary to replace what the body sweats out and to aid neuromuscular function.

Almonds are a great source of energy and in addition, they provide unsaturated fats, vegetable proteins and a small quantity of carbohydrates. Among the minerals that they contain, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and calcium are the most significant. As for vitamins, almonds have a good amount of vitamin E, which also has an antioxidant effect.

Preparation:

First of all, place the almonds on an oven tray and toast them lightly at 90°C (200°F) for about 10 minutes.

Next, prepare the beans by rinsing them under the tap and cutting off the ends.

If you have a steamer, steam the beans for 3-5 minutes on a low heat. If not, you can boil them for a similar time. The beans should be al dente and not too soft.  To preserve the bright green colour of the beans, rinse them in cold water after you remove them from the heat.

The next step is to thinly slice the garlic, and then to heat some Betis olive oil in a frying pan. Lightly fry the sliced garlic for a moment and then add the beans.

Season to taste with salt and pepper and shallow fry the beans for another 3-5 minutes on a medium to low heat.

Remove the pan from the heat and then serve the beans and garlic onto a plate and sprinkle the almonds on top.

Note: serves 4. Preparation time: 20 minutes. Cooking time: 10 minutes.