How to make frozen green beans that actually taste good
Lifesaver: frozen vegetables in the freezer. Take a bag of haricots verts or sugar snaps, follow these handy tips, throw some ravioli into a pan of boiling water in the meantime and, with a bit of luck, you’ll be sitting on the sofa with a plateful of something delicious and healthy before you’ve even had time to blink.
We can’t say it often enough: frozen vegetables contain just as many vitamins as their fresh counterparts because they’re frozen super quickly at the peak of their freshness. The only thing you don’t want is that wet, mushy mess that reminds you of all those times you tried to hide your aunt’s overcooked broccoli florets in the plant pot when you were younger (it’s all green, right?). We previously shared some handy tips for grilling different types of vegetables (including frozen ones) until nice and crisp; here are three more ways to turn frozen green beans or sugar snaps into something truly delicious:
Braising with tomato sauce
It’s always handy to make a large batch of tomato sauce and store it in portions, or pick up a jar of house ragù from a proper Italian deli. If you have the time and feel like it, sauté an onion and some garlic on the spot, along with whatever spices you fancy. Za’atar, for example, or homemade dukkah, or good old herbes de Provence. Then add a tin of tomatoes (squeeze the tomatoes into smaller pieces with your hands first) and a bag of whichever green beans you like (without thawing them first). Add salt and pepper, simmer for 20 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly, and you’re done.
Caramelise away
Melt 100 g of butter (yes, that’s a lot—and delicious) over medium heat in a heavy roasting or frying pan, then add whichever frozen green beans you like. Let them bubble vigorously for 5 minutes, then turn the heat down low. Add salt and pepper and let them caramelise gently for 30 to 40 minutes, until the green beans have shrunk and turned golden brown.
And the oven trick
Remember? Let a baking tray become scorching hot in the oven while it preheats. Toss the green beans in a bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper, carefully remove the tray from the oven and spread the green beans over it, leaving some space between them. Roast them for 20 minutes, toss them, then let them brown well for another 10 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped nuts or crisp-fried slices of garlic, for example.
That was easy, right? Enjoy!
Also read:
- 6 things from the freezer
- 11 things that keep for at least two weeks in your fridge
- 10 things chefs like to keep in the freezer
