How to Cook String Beans
- 1). Use the paring knife to cut the ends off of the string beans. Cut the beans in half or 1-inch slices, if desired.
- 2). Bring the salt and water to a boil in the saucepan over high heat.
- 3). With a vegetable steamer: place the steamer above the boiling water so that the water does not enter the steamer. Fill the steamer with the prepared string beans. Cover the pot with a lid and steam the string beans, covered for 4 to 10 minutes or until brightly colored and crisp-tender.
- 4). Without a vegetable steamer: place the string beans into the boiling water and boil, uncovered until bright in color and tender with a slight crunch. Watch the beans as the time varies between 4 and 10 minutes based on the size of the beans.
- 5). Remove a single string bean to taste for the appropriate crisp-tender texture to determine when to stop cooking.
- 6). Pour the cooked string beans into a colander to drain over the sink. Do not rinse the string beans. Return them to the pot and place the pot on top of the burner used for cooking.
- 7). Skip this step to use the plain string beans in a recipe. Turn off the heat if using an electric stove and melt the butter with residual heat, or keep a low flame on for a gas stove. Stir the butter and salt and pepper into the green beans until the butter completely melts.
- 8). Remove the pan from heat and serve immediately with additional salt and pepper, as desired.
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