Recipe: Last minute French-style green beans

by Julie Snyder

The delicious side dishes for a fancy feast don't have to take you hours to whip up.

If you don't have time to bake up a your famous green bean casserole or whip together Green Beans with Almonds, you'll still be able to serve an attractive and tasty vegetable dish in just minutes.

Buy a bag of French-style green beans, and you're halfway to this side dish. Microwave them right before serving.

Dress them up in their dish and serve -- they'll never know you didn't slave over a hot stove!

Last minute French-style green beans

Prep time: 5 minutes | Total time: 10 minutes | Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 16-ounce package frozen, French-style green beans
• 2 tablespoons water
• drizzle of olive oil or melted butter
• Mrs. Dash salt-free herb blends OR
• 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, shredded OR
• 1/4 cup slivered or slice almonds OR
• 1/2 red pepper, sliced and sautéed in oil OR
• 1/2 onion, sliced and caramelized in butter or oil

Directions

Place the green beans in a casserole dish with the water. Cover and microwave on high until crisp-tender, stirring once, about 7 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare your topping. When the beans are tender, but crisp, drizzle with the butter or oil and sprinkle with one or more toppings.

Cook's note

The same quick trick works with a variety of vegetables -- squash, spaghetti squash, Brussels sprouts, spinach, cauliflower and broccoli. Fiber-packed and full of flavor, these vegetable side dish recipes will round out any dinner and don't take long to make.

What your favorite go-to recipe when you need a quick and easy vegetable dish?

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.