Garlic greens with beans

Use young garlic leaves or cloves with beans for a fast side dish.

Ingredients

• 3 cloves or 6 young garlic leaves Garlic
• 300g, trimmed French beans
• 1/2 Lemon
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 25g, optional Flaked almonds (optional)
• 1/2 tsp, for the water, plus to taste Fine salt
• 1/4 tsp, or to taste Black pepper

Method

1. Bring a wide pan of well-salted water to the boil. Add the trimmed beans and cook for 3 minutes, until bright green and just tender.
2. Drain the beans and refresh under cold water for a minute, then shake very dry. This stops them overcooking and keeps their colour.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add finely sliced garlic or chopped young garlic leaves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, without browning.
4. Add the beans and toss for 2 to 3 minutes until hot and coated in the garlic oil. Season with salt and plenty of black pepper.
5. Finely grate a little lemon zest over the beans, then squeeze over the juice. Toss once more and taste for seasoning.
6. Transfer to a warm serving dish. Scatter with toasted flaked almonds if using and serve straight away.

Allotment tip
Use runner beans cut into thin strips when French beans are out of season.