Food tastes more delicious when it is visually appetizing. Same is true for green beans that are usually prepared via steaming to maintain the beautiful green color and the cracking, crunchy sound of the beans. The process of steaming is performed by gentle distribution of steam that is produced by boiling of water. The main aim is to cook the beans without letting their color and texture going dull. This is because cooking on a high flame can destroy all the essential elements while steaming secures all the vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin C, K, A, iron, folates, etc. Want to know how to steam green beans? Read on this article.

Steam Green Beans in a Microwave

Microwave is a modern technology and now is extensively used in cooking purposes. Although microwave heat does not allow even distribution of heat, it is still one of the technique which is utilized to steam green beans.
1

Place the green beans in a microwave safe bowl and add just a little amount of water on the base of the bowl, which is required for generating steam vapors. If you have freshly washed the beans, limit the water content.

2

Cover the bowl with a suitable microwave safe lid.

3

Place the bowl in microwave, set high temperature and leave for about a minute.

4

Check the beans after 30 seconds.

5

The time of steaming varies from 1 minute to 3 minutes, this depends on how much steamed beans you like.

Steam Green Beans in a Pan

Steaming green beans in a pan is the most widely accepted method. This is mainly because minimal equipment are needed and there will be even distribution of heat across all the beans, resulting in evenly cooked beans with their vibrant color and rich texture.
1

Take a saucepan and place fresh green beans in it.

2

Add approximately 1-1.5 inch of water from the base.

3

Bring the water to boil on high flame.

4

Slow down the heat once it comes to a boil. Leave it for simmering (gentle heating) by covering a suitable lid.

5

Simmer for 3-5 minutes.

6

Check the beans if they are cooked by inserting a fork and if they are ok, this must be done smoothly.

7

Once they are cooked according to your need, drain the remaining water. Add butter and seasoning like salt and black pepper, and then serve.

Stem Green Beans in Steamer Basket

1

Place water, stack of butter, garlic in a saucepan and bring it to boil. Besides, vegetable, chicken or beef stock can also be used in place of water.

2

Add the green beans to the steamer basket and put it on the pan. Frozen beans are recommended.

3

Cover the steamer basket tightly and leave it on gentle heating.

4

Add corn flour for making the thickness of stock and red pepper flakes for flavor as per your requirement, check the beans if they are tender enough. Enjoy!

Recommended Steamed Green Beans Recipes

Microwave Steamed Garlic Green Beans

  • Ingredients

IngredientsAmount

Green beans.

(Stem ends preferably removed).

1lbs (pound).

Garlic

1 clove, peeled.

Butter

1 tablespoon

Salt

To taste

  • Directions

  1. Place green beans, butter, peeled garlic in a microwave safe bowl.

  2. Pour water until approximately 2-2 ½ quarts of bowl.

  3. Add salt from top to taste.

  4. Cover with a microwave safe lid and place in the microwave at high temperature for 5-7 minutes.

  5. Check if cooked and drain the excessive water.

Steam Green Beans with Lemon Mint Dressing

  • Ingredients


IngredientsAmout

Green beans

1 pound

Mint leaves (finely chopped)

2 tablespoons.

Shallots (minced)

1 tablespoon.

Lemon juice

2 tablespoons.

Extra virgin olive oil

1 ½ tablespoons.

Salt

To taste

Black pepper (freshly grounded)

¼ teaspoon.

  • Directions

  1. Place green beans in a steamer to steam, discard the extra water.

  2. Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

  3. Add steamed beans with the mixture and coat the mix evenly over the beans.


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