VOTW - Green Beans !

[Moochiecat]

There is sometimes confusion over whether yellow or green beans are allowed...and they certainly are!
They are on the 1 cup veggie list, and they are called 'string or wax beans' in the book, and some folks call them 'snap' beans, because you snap the ends off when cleaning them.

Bf and I call them 'squeaky beans' because when they're steamed just right they are squeaky when you chew them! (I know..we need to get out more..lol)

Green and yellow beans have 4 net carbs per cup
(7 carbs - 3 fiber = 4 net carbs) and are a decent source of Vitamin C and especially fiber.

http://www.elook.org/nutrition/vegetables/2063.html

http://www.elook.org/nutrition/vegetables/2101.html

I'm a big fan of steaming my veggies, because I feel it retains the nutrients more, and I just plain don't like soggy vegetables. They're great just steamed with some butter or grated parmesan :yes They're a good addition to a soup, and they're really yummy when you stir fry them in hot oil, keeping them tendercrisp.
Beans are too fibrous to eat raw, and overcooking them isn't pleasant either, so keep that fork handy and test as you cook.

And don't forget canned and frozen as well as fresh. It's great to reach into the cupboard and freezer and find what you need, so keep some on hand.

This is one of our latest favorites around here

http://users3.ev1.net/~fontlady/greenbean_burger_cass.html

I just use regular green beans and not the 'french cut' and make sure you drain the beans really really well, or the caserolle can get a bit watery. I also use fresh mushrooms, because I love fresh mushrooms.

For more info on VOTW, please read here:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=67690

So everyone's mission this week is to try green or yellow string beans if you haven't tried them already, and to have some if you haven't had any in a while! :yes

[mere150]

Great idea to eat them again if you haven't in a while. Gonna eat at my grandmother's and if I'm quick to open a can of green beans she won't harass me about not eating bread or something.

[cmcole]

Well, I will even eat fresh green beans raw, but it is usually as I'm snapping the ends off to put in the pot.

Cooled, they make a good base for a salad, either alone or with other julienned veggies.

[Spikette]

Green Beans are great! I have already tried the Green Bean/Hamburger Casserole that Moochiecat mentioned....also using the regular Green Beans and it is delicious!

Most of the time I just eat them with butter or melted cheese.

[NeverGrowUp]

Green beans cook really well in the microwave too. I use a little broth instead of water sometimes, for a nice yummy salty taste.

Thanks for reminding me I can eat these!

[MotherOfGizmo]

I like fresh ones, steamed with bacon! yummmie!

[spazzyhilo]

I love them rolling around in butter... mmm with a side of steak you can't go wrong

[spirittalker]

I love canned green bean cooked in butter. They taste s very yummy. I also had some very yummy green beans the other day that appeared to be steamed with litttle bits of diced onions. The onions gave them a sweet flavor.

[not2late]

I love green beans sauteed in olive oil with a little garlic. I also like them cooked a long time with bacon. When I was on Induction, I found that green beans can be made into a really yummy "mock split pea soup"!

[Moochiecat]

'mock pea soup'???

Please elaborate!!

I keep seeing smoked pork hocks at the grocery, and pining for pea soup!!!

[JEC48]

I have always previously always boiled my greenbeans with bacon and spices. I have recently been putting on a cookie sheet and roasting them like I do asparagus. I LOVE THEM!!!!! I just sprinkle a little olive oil or butter on them and spices and they are sooooooooooooo!!!! good. Try it, you'll like it.

[not2late]

Mock split pea soup

1 bag frozen green beans
1/2 cup onion (green or yellow) chopped
1/2 cup celery chopped
1 bay leaf
3-4 cups ham stock
1-4 cups of water.
1/2 cup ham pieces, cooked

Using either bacon fat or olive oil, sautee the onions and celery until soft. Add the green beans. Cook. Add 2-3 cups of the ham stock and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Then simmer until the green beans are soft.

Remove the bay leaf, and remove the mixture from the heat. In batches add the solids and some of the liquid to a blender and pulse until the mix is in small chunks. Reserve one cup and blend the rest until smooth. I like some texture in my soup so the reserved one cup of pulsed mixture is good enough for me. Anyhow, return the pureed soup to the cooking pot.

Add enough water or stock to achieve the thickness you want in your soup. Bring to a boil. Add the ham pieces and simmer for about 15 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

This tastes better the next day and it freezes well.

[Isabeau]

I like these sorts of beans prepared very simply. Steamed with a little butter, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Probably my favourite is in a salad. Just steamed green beans with olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and fresh garlic. It's even better the next day after marinating a bit.