Green Beans with Orange and Basil
Yield: 4 servings
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Tips: Choose green beans carefully when shopping (see recipe description). Garnish with orange slices.
Suggestion: Serve as a side dish with any main course.
Green beans dress up very nicely with this flavorful orange and basil sauce! Sometimes the most delightful sauces are derived from just a few simple but distinct ingredients. In this recipe, plain yogurt is added for a little tartness, while a small amount of mayonnaise
is added for creaminess. Orange zest and basil are quickly heated in the microwave with a little water, allowing the flavors to blend and soften. The basil and orange mixture is then combined with the creamy yogurt sauce, producing a very unique and delightful flavor that beautifully compliments an otherwise ordinary plate of green beans.
This recipe is very simple and easy. For convenience, the sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook the beans. For the best results while at the store, it is well worth your while to take time in choosing quality beans. Dark green, slender beans with no brown spots are recommended, and will produce the crispest and most flavorful result when cooked. Serve al dente (crisp-tender) beans with a little sauce on the side with a few thin sliced orange halves, and your beans will come alive!
This recipe is very simple and easy. For convenience, the sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook the beans. For the best results while at the store, it is well worth your while to take time in choosing quality beans. Dark green, slender beans with no brown spots are recommended, and will produce the crispest and most flavorful result when cooked. Serve al dente (crisp-tender) beans with a little sauce on the side with a few thin sliced orange halves, and your beans will come alive!
Recipe▼
Ingredients
- 12 oz. fresh green beans, trimmed and cleaned
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil OR 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed basil
- 1/4 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon water
- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
- orange slices for garnishing (optional)
Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring about 1 inch of water to a boil. Place beans in a vegetable steamer and place in saucepan. Cover and reduce heat, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until beans are al dente (crisp-tender).
While beans are cooking, in a small microwave-save bowl, combine fresh or dried basil, the 1 teaspoon of water and orange zest. Cook uncovered on high in microwave for 30 seconds. In a separate small mixing bowl, stir together yogurt and mayonnaise. Add the basil and orange mixture to the yogurt mixture along with the 1 tablespoon of orange juice. Using a whisk or fork, stir all ingredients with the yogurt mixture until thoroughly combined. Spoon a little of the sauce on each serving of beans, and the rest on the side, or simply serve the sauce on the side. If desired, garnish with thin slices of orange halves.
While beans are cooking, in a small microwave-save bowl, combine fresh or dried basil, the 1 teaspoon of water and orange zest. Cook uncovered on high in microwave for 30 seconds. In a separate small mixing bowl, stir together yogurt and mayonnaise. Add the basil and orange mixture to the yogurt mixture along with the 1 tablespoon of orange juice. Using a whisk or fork, stir all ingredients with the yogurt mixture until thoroughly combined. Spoon a little of the sauce on each serving of beans, and the rest on the side, or simply serve the sauce on the side. If desired, garnish with thin slices of orange halves.
