Elevate Your Green Beans: Mustard Cream Sauce with Toasted Almonds

Green beans, often relegated to a simple side dish, deserve a moment in the spotlight. This recipe transforms ordinary green beans into a sophisticated and flavorful creation, perfect for weeknight dinners or elegant gatherings. The combination of crisp-tender green beans, a creamy and tangy mustard sauce, and the satisfying crunch of toasted almonds is simply irresistible. Get ready to say goodbye to boring green beans forever!

## Why This Recipe Works

This recipe is a winner for several reasons:

* **Flavor Contrast:** The earthy green beans are beautifully balanced by the sharp mustard and rich cream. The sweetness of the optional honey or maple syrup adds another layer of complexity.
* **Texture:** The crisp-tender green beans provide a delightful contrast to the smooth sauce and the crunchy almonds.
* **Easy to Make:** Despite its elegant presentation, this dish is surprisingly simple to prepare.
* **Versatile:** It pairs well with a variety of main courses, from grilled chicken and fish to roasted pork and steak.
* **Elevated Yet Approachable:** It feels special enough for a dinner party but easy enough to make on a busy weeknight.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to create this culinary masterpiece. Don’t be intimidated by the length – most are pantry staples!

* **1 pound fresh green beans:** Look for firm, bright green beans without blemishes. French green beans (haricots verts) are a particularly elegant choice, but regular green beans work just as well.
* **2 tablespoons olive oil:** Extra virgin olive oil adds a richer flavor, but any good-quality olive oil will do.
* **1/4 cup slivered almonds:** These add a crucial textural element and nutty flavor. You can also use chopped almonds if you prefer.
* **1/2 cup heavy cream:** This provides the richness and body of the sauce. You can substitute half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less thick.
* **2 tablespoons Dijon mustard:** Dijon mustard provides the characteristic tang and sharpness. Experiment with different types of Dijon mustard to find your favorite.
* **1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard (optional):** Adding a touch of whole-grain mustard adds another layer of texture and flavor. If you don’t have it, simply use 3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard.
* **1 tablespoon lemon juice:** Fresh lemon juice brightens the sauce and balances the richness of the cream.
* **1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional):** A touch of sweetness enhances the other flavors and rounds out the sauce. Adjust the amount to your preference.
* **1/4 teaspoon salt:** Adjust to taste.
* **1/4 teaspoon black pepper:** Freshly ground black pepper is always best.
* **1 clove garlic, minced (optional):** Adds a subtle savory note. If you don’t like garlic, you can omit it.
* **Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional):** For a touch of heat.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create perfectly cooked green beans and a luscious mustard cream sauce.

**Step 1: Prepare the Green Beans**

1. **Wash and trim the green beans:** Rinse the green beans thoroughly under cold water. Snap off the ends of the green beans. You can also trim them to a uniform length if desired, but it’s not strictly necessary.
2. **Blanch the green beans (optional):** Blanching the green beans helps them retain their bright green color and crisp-tender texture. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they are bright green and slightly tender-crisp. Immediately transfer the green beans to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain well and set aside. *This step is optional, you can skip directly to sauteing but blanching guarantees a crisper bean.*

**Step 2: Toast the Almonds**

1. **Toast the almonds:** Place the slivered almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the almonds are lightly golden brown and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Watch them carefully, as they can burn easily. Remove the almonds from the skillet and set aside.

**Step 3: Make the Mustard Cream Sauce**

1. **Sauté garlic (optional):** If using garlic, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
2. **Sauté the Green Beans:** Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. If you skipped the blanching process then you will cook the beans until they are tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. If you blanched the beans then you will saute them until they are heated through and slightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.
3. **Add the cream and mustard:** Pour in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and whole-grain mustard (if using). Stir to combine.
4. **Simmer the sauce:** Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. **Add lemon juice and honey/maple syrup:** Stir in the lemon juice and honey or maple syrup (if using). Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

**Step 4: Combine and Serve**

1. **Add the green beans to the sauce:** Add the cooked green beans to the skillet and toss to coat them evenly with the mustard cream sauce.
2. **Garnish with toasted almonds:** Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the green beans.
3. **Serve immediately:** Serve the green beans hot as a side dish. Garnish with a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using) and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

## Tips for Success

* **Don’t overcook the green beans:** The key to perfect green beans is to cook them until they are crisp-tender. Overcooked green beans will be mushy and unappetizing.
* **Toast the almonds carefully:** Keep a close eye on the almonds while toasting them, as they can burn easily. Toasting enhances their nutty flavor.
* **Adjust the seasoning to your taste:** Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and honey or maple syrup to your preference.
* **Use fresh, high-quality ingredients:** The better the quality of your ingredients, the better the final dish will taste.
* **Make it ahead:** You can blanch the green beans and toast the almonds ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply sauté the garlic (if using), make the sauce, and combine everything.

## Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is easily adaptable to your preferences and dietary needs. Here are a few variations and substitutions you can try:

* **Vegan:** Substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream. Use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey.
* **Dairy-Free:** Use full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream instead of heavy cream. Be sure to use a Dijon mustard that is dairy-free.
* **Nut-Free:** Substitute the almonds with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Toast them in the same way as the almonds.
* **Spicy:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for a spicy kick.
* **Add-Ins:** Consider adding other vegetables to the dish, such as mushrooms, shallots, or cherry tomatoes.
* **Herbs:** Fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, or chives can add a lovely aroma and flavor to the dish.

## Serving Suggestions

These green beans with mustard cream sauce and toasted almonds are a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses.

* **Grilled Chicken or Fish:** The creamy sauce complements grilled chicken or fish beautifully.
* **Roasted Pork or Steak:** The tangy mustard cuts through the richness of roasted pork or steak.
* **Vegetarian Mains:** Serve alongside vegetarian mains like lentil loaf or roasted vegetables.
* **Holiday Meals:** This dish is a welcome addition to any holiday table.

## Nutritional Information (approximate)**

*Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

* **Serving Size:** 1/4 of the recipe
* **Calories:** Approximately 250
* **Fat:** 20g
* **Saturated Fat:** 10g
* **Cholesterol:** 60mg
* **Sodium:** 200mg
* **Carbohydrates:** 10g
* **Fiber:** 3g
* **Sugar:** 4g
* **Protein:** 5g

## Storing Leftovers

Store leftover green beans with mustard cream sauce and toasted almonds in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave before serving. The almonds may lose some of their crispness upon reheating, so you may want to add a few freshly toasted almonds for extra crunch.

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

**Q: Can I use frozen green beans?**
A: While fresh green beans are preferred for their texture and flavor, you can use frozen green beans in a pinch. Be sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before adding them to the skillet.

**Q: Can I use a different type of mustard?**
A: Yes, you can experiment with different types of mustard to find your favorite flavor. Stone-ground mustard, honey mustard, or even a spicy brown mustard would all work well in this recipe.

**Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?**
A: Yes, you can blanch the green beans and toast the almonds ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply sauté the garlic (if using), make the sauce, and combine everything.

**Q: How can I prevent the sauce from curdling?**
A: To prevent the sauce from curdling, use heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk. Avoid boiling the sauce vigorously and simmer it gently instead.

**Q: Can I add other vegetables to this dish?**
A: Absolutely! Mushrooms, shallots, cherry tomatoes, or asparagus would all be delicious additions to this dish. Sauté them along with the garlic (if using) before adding the green beans.

**Q: Can I double or triple this recipe?**
A: Yes, you can easily double or triple this recipe to serve a larger crowd. Just be sure to use a large enough skillet to accommodate all of the ingredients.

## Conclusion

This recipe for green beans with mustard cream sauce and toasted almonds is a simple yet elegant way to elevate your green bean game. The combination of crisp-tender green beans, creamy and tangy sauce, and crunchy almonds is a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more. So, ditch the boring green beans and give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Bon appétit!