Recipe: Lemon Almond Green Beans

👩‍🍳 This easy recipe elevates green beans into a sophisticated and tasty dish.

Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450 g) green beans

• ½ cup (60 g) slivered almonds

• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• Juice and zest of 1 large lemon

• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Steam the green beans: Add about an inch of water to the bottom of a medium pot and place a steamer basket over it. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. 

2. Add the green beans and cover, reducing the heat to medium-low. Let cook for 5-7 minutes, until the green beans reach your desired level of tenderness. Remove the steamer basket from the heat and let the beans cool for 5-10 minutes.

3. While the beans are cooling, heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the almonds and lightly toast, about 2-3 minutes. The nuts should be lightly brown but not scorched. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

4. Add the olive oil to the skillet and let heat for 1-2 minutes. Add the green beans, lemon juice and zest, salt, and pepper. Let cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the lemon juice has reduced. Sprinkle the almonds on top. Serve & Enjoy!

Recipe by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by pixelshot 

Recipe: Creamy Cauliflower Grits

Looking for a fun and different side dish? Here you go!

This pairs well with spicy shrimp or chicken. You also can kick this up a notch by adding ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Ingredients:

• 1 2-pound head of cauliflower, washed, trimmed, and chopped into florets

• 1½ cups of unsweetened non-dairy milk (almond, cashew or coconut)

• 1 tbsp coconut, avocado or olive oil

• ⅓ cup nutritional yeast OR ½ cup crumbled goat cheese

• Sea salt

• Ground pepper

Directions:

1. Depending on the size of your food processor, place about half of the cauliflower into the bowl and pulse until it breaks down into rice-sized grains. Remove and repeat until all the cauliflower has been minced.

2. Place in a medium saucepan along with the milk, oil, ½ tsp salt and several generous “grinds” of pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Stirring frequently, simmer for about 10-12 minutes until the mixture is smooth and looks like grits. Stir in the nutritional yeast or the cheese. Taste and add more salt/pepper if needed.

Recipe by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by HandmadePictures from Getty Images