Healing Foods: Green Beans with Garlic Parsley Butter

Fall is definitely in the air. Although we have enjoyed some warm days, the mornings have been cooler, and the evenings are starting to get the crisp feel and smell of autumn. I have been thinking of some of my favorite cooler weather meals and what heartwarming, comforting dishes there are to be made when the weather starts to chill.

One of my favorite French dishes is a simple green bean dish. Steamed green beens (or the thinner French version—haricots verts) are tossed with garlic, parsley and butter and sautéed. It is a delicious accompaniment to any meal. I am thinking of a crispy roast chicken or a roast tenderloin that I have had it served with in France, but my friend Gabs will tell me what she is hungry for….and I will make what she is craving for her and her family as a nice comforting fall dinner.

My friends at World’s Healthiest Foods point out that green beans, “while quite low in calories (just 43.75 calories in a whole cup), are loaded with nutrients. Green beans are an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K--for maintaining strong bones--and manganese. Green beans are very good source of vitamin A (notably through their concentration of carotenoids including beta-carotene) for heart health, dietary fiber, potassium, folate, and iron. They are also a good source of magnesium, thiamin, riboflavin, copper, calcium, phosphorus, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and niacin.”

With the added iron of parsley, and the heart healthy properties of garlic, this green bean dish is a healthy vegetable choice that comforts as it heals. What could be better than that?

Haricots Verts (Green Beans) with Garlic/Parsley Butter

1 lb haricots verts (thin French green beans) or regular green beans, washed and trimmed.

4 tablespoons butter (or for vegan version--mix 2 tablespoons vegan buttery sticks with 2 tbsps olive oil.

4-5 garlic cloves, chopped fine

1 bunch parsley, washed, trimmed and chopped fine

salt and pepper to taste

Steam haricots or green beans for 8-10 minutes until crisp/tender. Drain and set aside.

Sauté butter and garlic over medium low heat until garlic softens. Add chopped parsley and green beans and stir until beans are well coated with butter/garlic/parsley mixture. Add salt and pepper. Simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, another 5-7 minutes.