Fancy Green Beans
Get ready for a side dish that’s as vibrant as it is delicious! Crisp green beans are tossed with garlicky leeks, crunchy pecans, and tart dried cherries, creating a fantastic mix of flavors and textures. This dish pairs perfectly with any main course and makes a simple yet stunning addition to your holiday table. Using Anyday dishes in the microwave provides a super convenient way to cook green beans quickly, trapping just the right amount of steam to keep them bright and wonderfully crisp.
All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
The Medium Shallow Dish
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The Small Square Dish
Flash-steam small portions of food in the microwave, evenly reheat leftovers, or store food in the fridge with the lid’s airtight seal.
The Anyhand Mitts
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup (17g) leeks, finely chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups (185g) green beans, halved
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon roughly chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon roughly chopped dried cherries or cranberries
- 1 tablespoon water
- Lemon zest from ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives
Preparation
- Place the butter, leeks and garlic powder in an Anyday dish. Cover with lid (knob lifted).
- Cook in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until leeks are slightly softened.
- Add the green beans, salt, pecans, cherries, water and lemon zest. Stir well to combine and cover with lid again.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until green beans are tender. Allow to rest for 1 minute with the lid on to finish cooking through.
- Add the chives and mix well.
Serving suggestions & tips
- Vegan twist: For a vegan approach, swap the butter for olive oil to keep the dish plant-based.
- Scallions and cranberries: Substitute leeks with scallions, dried cherries with dried cranberries, and pecans with pumpkin seeds or your favorite nuts.
- Savory boost: For an extra savory kick, render some bacon or pancetta with the butter and leeks before adding the rest of the ingredients.
- Spicy kick: For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce while cooking.
- Discover more side dish recipes by exploring our collection here!
Recipe notes
- You can use snap peas and snow peas for equally delicious results.
- Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.
All You Need to Know About Making Fancy Green Beans in the Microwave
Can I cook green beans in the microwave?
Yes, you can cook green beans in the microwave! Using an Anyday dish makes it easy to steam the beans to a perfect crisp-tender texture while retaining their vibrant color and crunch. Discover more green bean recipes by exploring our collection **here!**
Can I make this ahead of time?
While you can make this dish beforehand, we recommend preparing the green beans just before serving for the best flavor and texture. If you need to prep in advance, you can steam the green beans in an Anyday dish, let them cool completely, and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes for a quick and convenient side dish.
Can I make fancy green beans with frozen green beans?
Yes! Frozen green beans can be used; simply add them to the Anyday dish directly from frozen, increase the cooking time slightly, and follow the recipe as directed. Adjust the seasonings to taste, as frozen beans may have a softer texture.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! To make this recipe vegan, simply swap the butter for olive oil or a plant-based alternative.
Can I make this recipe nut-free?
Yes, you can make this recipe nut-free! Just skip any nuts in the ingredients or topping, and feel free to substitute with sunflower or pumpkin seeds for added crunch, if desired.
