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Green Beans with Toasted Almonds, Browned Butter and Whole Spices

Green Beans with Toasted Almonds, Browned Butter and Whole Spices

By Julia RackowOctober 8, 2018

  • Makes
    6 servings
  • Cook Time
    40 minutes

Ground seeds and spices—as well as fragrant toasted almonds—give classic green beans amandine gets a bold update with plenty of texture. The browned butter amplifies the nuttiness of the almonds, adds a touch of richness and ties everything together. The almonds can be toasted and stored in an airtight container at room temperature and the spice-and-butter mixture can be made, cooled, covered and refrigerated up to a day in advance. When ready to serve, melt the butter mixture in a 12-inch skillet over medium-low, add the beans and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Finish the dish off heat as directed.

Tip

Don't grind the spices until fine and powdery, or they will make the dish gritty. Leave them coarse so that they retain texture and individual flavors.

Ingredients
  • 1

    tablespoon sesame seeds

  • 1

    tablespoon coriander seeds

  • 1

    tablespoon cumin seeds

  • 1 ½

    teaspoons caraway seeds

  • ½

    cup slivered almonds, roughly chopped

  • 2

    tablespoons salted butter

  • 1

    teaspoon dried oregano

  • ½

    teaspoon honey

  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper

  • 1 ½

    pounds green beans, trimmed, halved and blanched

Step 1

In a large skillet over medium-low, toast the sesame, coriander, cumin and caraway seeds, stirring, until aromatic and golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a spice grinder and coarsely grind, about 3 pulses. Transfer to a small heatproof bowl.

Step 2

In the same skillet over medium-low, toast the almonds, stirring frequently, until deeply browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.

Add the butter to the hot skillet and cook over medium-low, stirring constantly, until the milk solids at the bottom are golden brown and the butter has a nutty aroma, about 2 minutes.

Pour the butter over the spices, then stir in the oregano, honey, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Set aside until ready to serve.

Step 3

When ready to serve, in a 12-inch skillet, combine the butter-spice mixture and the green beans. Set the pan over medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are heated through, 7 to 10 minutes.

Off heat, stir in half the almonds, then taste and season with salt. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with the remaining almonds.

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