how do i cook green beans that i just picked from my garden?

Question

they have this fur on them . is that normal?

Answer 1

I can help.
1. Wash them thoroughly through several sinks of water. Dip them out into the other bowl (clean). Let the dirty water out of the other side. Rinse bowl and then put beans back in and run more cool water on them and rinse around again. and then one more time.
2. String them if there are strings, and then break into two or three pieces as you prefer.
3. Put cold water (about 2 inches deep) into a pan that is sized right for the amount of beans. Add beans.
4. Less water means more flavor.
5. Using medium heat, monitor until beans come to a boil, add some salt to taste, we use a little canola oil or light olive oil (about 1 Tbs. for 2 lbs. of beans. Then turn heat down to just a little more than a simmer. One can use ham, bacon, salt pork which is very good.
6. Let beans cook until just tender. Different varieties of beans take different cooking time. White half runner beans usually take about an hour. Blue Lake beans a little more.

The southern method is to put about 1 inch of water in a heavy pan, add beans and cook on medium high with plenty of the pork bacon, or salt pork ,watching the beans until the water is about gone and the fat melted some. Then, by using a saucer one turns the beans over slowly and constantly until they are tender. About 45 min. or less in all. These are really good. A little onion sliced on the side and some sliced tomatoes and corn bread. MMM good Ya'All have some!

Answer 2

This is against every rule of modern nutrition, but it makes for THE best green beans you will ever eat. Snap the ends off the green beans, and either break the beans into smaller pieces or leave them whole.

Place them in a big pot with enough water to cover them, along with a big hunk of ham or some diced uncooked bacon (three or four slices, at least) and a small minced onion. Now cook all heck out of those beans until they're tender, adding more water if necessary.

When they're done, drain off all but about a cup of the liquid. Then add two or three tablespoons of butter and a teaspoon or so of oregano. Salt and pepper to taste, pour that luscious stuff into a nice big china bowl, and eat until you bust or the green beans are gone, whichever comes first.

(Note: a big ol' pan of cornbread and some cold milk or buttermilk are all you need for a full meal, Southern style!)

Answer 3

Snip off the ends of the beans. Dice up some potatoes in to small cubes and boil until 1/2 done. Chop a small onion.

In sauce pan put in tomato sauce. Add onion, potato, and beans. Simmer until beans are tender. Salt and pepper to taste.

Answer 4

I love fresh green beans from the garden. We used to cook them up with some potatoes, onion, and smoked beef sausage. It is so good. When I fix it today, I cook the vegetables in chicken or beef broth for more flavor. I also add a bell pepper.

***Some variety greenbeans have fur. It is still ok to eat.

Answer 5

If you have a steamer, that's the best way. Otherwise boil a small amount of water in a pan large enough to lay the beans out w/o too many on top of each other for about 15 min. Try one and check for doneness.

Answer 6

In a pot of salted boiling water drop a handful in for about 90 seconds--cook uncovered--drain and submerge immediately in ice cold water. Dry bean on paper towel, heat up a skillet with a tiny bit of garlic olive oil and saute for a minute or two, toss in some pine nuts a few dried cranberries, and finish with a nice twist or two of fresh pepper and grey sea salt.

Answer 7

Rinse them under cold water.
snap of the stem end (you dont what to eat that!)
You can break them into shorter pieces or leave them long.
Place in a pot so they are no more than 2 inches deep and just cover with water.
Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer.
Cook until you can poke them with a fork (about 20 mins)
Add salt to taste.
Enjoy!

Answer 8

I love fresh green beans! The best way to cook them is to steam them until they are crisp-tender. Snip off the ends, first. When you are done steaming them, toss them with a little sesame oil (adds wonderful, warm flavor) and soy sauce. Add some finely chopped garlic if you are feeling really adventurous. Delicious!

Answer 9

The "furry" appearance is normal. I like to blanch them and saute in butter and olive oil with minced garlic, salt and pepper. My all time favorite is cooked with halved, small new potatoes, with about 1 tsp. salt added. When they are tender, drain and put back in the pot with a cup of milk and a pat of butter season with salt and fresh ground pepper. We always had that when I was a kid and the beans first started coming on. It's delicious!

Answer 10

Steam them 3 or 4 minutes. If you don't have a steamer, just use a little water in the bottom of a covered pan. Don't cook them too long, they should be crisp-tender. Salt, pepper, butter, serve.

Bert