Green Beans with Pine Nuts

Here’s a quick and easy preparation for green beans.  It goes particularly well with pasta (I served it with Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells and Homemade Garlic Bread).  If you don’t have pine nuts, you could substitute slivered almonds.

Green Beans with Pine Nuts

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• one bag fresh or frozen green beans (I buy bags of fresh when they’re on sale)
• 1-2 tablespoons pine nuts (or slivered almonds)

Cook green beans in a pot of boiling water until bright green, approximately 3-5 minutes.  Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.  Add garlic and pine nuts to skillet, and cook, stirring frequently, until pine nuts turn golden brown.  Drain green beans and add to skillet.  Cook for another 3 minutes and serve.