Originally, I had planned to name this recipe “Green Beans,” but something always felt off. No matter how many times I checked my notes, I knew that something was missing. And then it hit me – this dish held such significance to me because it was my version of my grandmother’s recipe. So, against my husband’s suggestion to avoid personal references in recipes, I present to you “Granny’s Green Beans.”

These beans were a staple in my upbringing, a dish my grandmother would prepare for every family dinner or holiday. Each time I make them, I feel her presence in the kitchen with me. I’m eagerly looking forward to the day I can return to Cape Town to make them with her and my daughter, for the very first time.

This easy-to-prepare side dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner and elegant enough for a dinner party. If you’re making it in advance, mix in the butter and transfer the green beans to a dish before refrigerating. When it’s time to serve, reheat the dish by placing it in a pan for a couple of minutes until it reaches your desired temperature. There’s no need to add any additional oil or butter to the pan, as the beans are already coated in butter. Finally, complete step five just before serving.

I hope this simple side dish will bring your family together for years to come, as it has for mine. I would love to see photos of this dish at your family’s holiday table, so please tag @roxiecappell when sharing them.

Granny’s Green Beans

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients

• ▢ ½ lbs green beans
• ▢ ⅓ cup feta cheese
• ▢ ½ tbsp butter salted or unsalted doesn’t matter
• ▢ ¼ cup Sliced or slivered almonds
• ▢ Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Wash and cut the ends off of the green beans.
• Place almonds in a pan on a low heat until they are a golden brown color. Stir frequently and don’t leave them. They will go from a perfect golden brown to burnt very quickly. Once the almonds are golden brown, place in a little dish and set it aside for later.
• Place green beans in a medium pot with enough water to cover them and one or two pinches of salt. Bring water to a simmer and let the beans cook for 6-10 minutes, until they reach your preferred level of doneness.
• Drain water, keep the green beans in the pot and add your butter, salt and pepper. You can stir everything, or put the lid on your pot and give everything a little shake.
• Put the green beans in your desired serving dish, add the golden brown almonds, and crumble the feta cheese on top.