Lemon Garlic Green Beans with Crispy Crumbs

Years ago when my daughters were really young, and long before my son was ever born – I answered an ad in the paper to be one of those people at the grocery store handing out samples.  I did it for a few months, and actually kind of liked it.  That was until the one weekend the job did me in.

You see, that weekend – a Saturday to be exact.  They put me in the local Wal-Mart, and you know how crazy busy that place is on a Saturday to begin with.  Also, keep in mind that one of the rules to the sampling job was that I couldn’t give samples to kids younger than 13 without the parents’ consent.  Well, my sample that day was ice cream.  In the middle of summer.  On a Saturday… in WalMart.

Oh. my. gosh.  I compare that day to holding up a piece of fresh meat to a bunch of ravenous wolves.  Yes, it was that bad.  I couldn’t scoop the ice cream out fast enough.. and that rule about not giving out samples to kids below 13 without parents’ consent?  Yeah, that was an easy rule to enforce when I’m being trampled for free ice cream.  Yikes!  Needless to say, that was my last day.  I just didn’t have what it takes to be a sample lady, especially when that sample was free ice cream.  I packed my stuff up within a few hours of my ravenous wolves in Wal-Mart experience – I was officially defeated.

So, I totally respect those people handing out samples at the grocery stores – they’re way more patient than U am! And funny thing is, I found my favorite green bean recipe because of one of those sample ladies!  They were giving out samples of green beans with a panko topping and I loved them.  She gave me the recipe, and I ended up adapting it a little to suit our tastes, and I can never get enough of it.

Now, green beans are quite easily the most served vegetable in my house. I always keep a few cans handy for a quick & easy side dish. But that adaptation of the recipe the lady handing out samples gave me is my favorite way to prepare them.

A touch of lemon & garlic added to the green beans, with a buttery panko topping makes these green beans absolutely delicious. And, since it starts off with just a couple cans of green beans, it couldn’t get much simpler or cheaper to put this one on the table – and no one would guess that it didn’t take you long to put it together at all.

Here’s what you need:

I’m a Del Monte girl when it comes to my canned veggies – so that’s what I use. I think they taste the closest to home-canned green beans out of all the brands I’ve tried.  And the no salt added french style version is my absolute favorite to use, but you can use the cut style if you like.

First step, pop 2 cans of drained Del Monte green beans into a pan & start warming them up.

Zest one whole lemon.  Set aside the actual lemon to save the juice for another occasion.  Mince 3 cloves of garlic.

Measure out 3/4 cup of panko bread crumbs.

In a large skillet, melt 2-3 tablespoons of margarine or butter.  Add in the panko bread crumbs & minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned. Stir in the zest of one lemon & remove from the heat.

Mix in 2-3 tablespoons of the crispy crumbs in with the green beans. Scoop the hot green beans into a serving dish & top with the remaining toasted crumb mixture.  Serve immediately.

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Lemon Garlic Green Beans with Crispy Crumbs

Ingredients

• 2 cans Del Monte green beans drained (I like the french style)
• the zest from one lemon
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2-3 tablespoons margarine or butter
• ¾ cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions

• Place the drained cans of Del Monte green beans in a saucepan, and heat til hot.
• Meanwhile, melt the margarine or butter in a skillet. Add the minced garlic & bread crumbs. Cook until browned & toasted, stirring occasionally. Stir in the lemon zest & remove from the heat.
• Mix 2-3 tablespoons of the crispy crumbs in the green beans. Place the green beans in a serving dish, and top with the remaining panko crumb mixture.
• Serve immediately.

I am a Canbassador for the Cans Get You Cooking Campaign, and was compensated for this post as part of the program.  All opinions & general ramblings expressed are my own.