Green Bean and Lemon Casserole
by Nigella. Featured in FEASTIntroduction
Strictly speaking, I don't think of this as a casserole, but I know that this is the traditional nomenclature; and, besides, I do sometimes serve the beans in one so it seems silly to quibble.
For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.
Strictly speaking, I don't think of this as a casserole, but I know that this is the traditional nomenclature; and, besides, I do sometimes serve the beans in one so it seems silly to quibble.
For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.
Ingredients
Serves: 8-10
- 1 kilogram fine green beans
- 75 grams unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon olive oil
- 1 lemon
- Maldon salt
- pepper
- 2 pounds slender green beans
- ¾ stick unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon olive oil
- 1 lemon
- sea salt flakes
- pepper
Method
- Bring a big pot of water to the boil, while you top and tail the beans. Once the water has come to the boil, salt it and cook the beans until they have lost their rawness (about 6 minutes after the water comes back to the boil), but retain a bit of crunch.
- Strain them, and put the pot back on the stove over a low heat with the butter and olive oil. While the butter melts, chop up the lemon. Put it on a chopping board, cut a slice off each end, just enough to remove skin and pith, and then cut downwards, turning the lemon as you go, to peel the fruit fully. Don't worry if in order to remove all the pith you cut into the fruit a bit: just take the pieces of fruity peel over to the pan and squeeze in any juice you can. Then cut the lemon up on the board: I just slice and let each slice tumble into bits on its own. Add the lemon pieces and all the juice that collects to the melted butter and stir well with a wooden spoon, adding the drained beans.
- Swirl the pan vigorously and turn the beans in the lemony butter. Add salt to taste and lots of freshly ground pepper. I love white pepper (out of deference to my mother's taste and practice) or the much-abominated 1980s restaurant-style mixed pepper, but neither is crucial.
- Remove to a warmed casserole making sure you don't leave any lemony, buttery juices behind.
- Bring a big pot of water to the boil, while you top and tail the beans. Once the water has come to the boil, salt it and cook the beans until they have lost their rawness (about 6 minutes after the water comes back to the boil), but retain a bit of crunch.
- Strain them, and put the pot back on the stove over a low heat with the butter and olive oil. While the butter melts, chop up the lemon. Put it on a chopping board, cut a slice off each end, just enough to remove skin and pith, and then cut downwards, turning the lemon as you go, to peel the fruit fully. Don't worry if in order to remove all the pith you cut into the fruit a bit: just take the pieces of fruity peel over to the pan and squeeze in any juice you can. Then cut the lemon up on the board: I just slice and let each slice tumble into bits on its own. Add the lemon pieces and all the juice that collects to the melted butter and stir well with a wooden spoon, adding the drained beans.
- Swirl the pan vigorously and turn the beans in the lemony butter. Add salt to taste and lots of freshly ground pepper. I love white pepper (out of deference to my mother's taste and practice) or the much-abominated 1980s restaurant-style mixed pepper, but neither is crucial.
- Remove to a warmed casserole making sure you don't leave any lemony, buttery juices behind.
Additional Information
MAKE AHEAD / STORE:
It is not advisable to make ahead. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days and eaten cold.
MAKE AHEAD / STORE:
It is not advisable to make ahead. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days and eaten cold.
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What 6 Others have said
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Show more commentsWhat a lovely day to wake up and try Nigella's recipe. I think the Maldon salt really makes the difference. Merci
Excellent recipe. Thank you. Didn't have 1kg of green beans but added asparagus. Loved it. I have to agree with the other comments, my approach to cooking changed since the recipes aren't so complicated and works out every time. My family noticed a confidence boost in me since cooking any one of Nigella's recipes. You really are the Goddess of Home Cooking. Again thank you.
This is yet another marvellous dish from Nigella Lawson. I get them daily as emails, and they are always interesting and easy to follow. The emails have changed my nervous approach to cooking, and I am much bolder, as THEY ALWAYS WORK and are greeted with pleasure by family and passing guests Changed my life, really. Thanks
I don’t think there was a single green vegetable that my mother did not prepare this way, occasionally substituting more EVOO for the butter. Avocado slices and broccoli were particularly delicious with the latter.
This sounds just wonderful. I love green beans. I know what's on the menu tomorrow!
I've made this a few times and everybody loves it! The buttery goodness is balanced by the sharpness of the lemon. Delicious! :)