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Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Green Beans


These most popular fresh beans are sometimes still called "string beans" although the fibrous "string" that ran along the seam of the bean does not exist in modern varieties. Snap beans are actually immature kidney beans, and their pods can be flat, oval, or rounded. The most familiar types are green beans and yellow wax beans, which are identical in taste and texture.

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 Availability Chart


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Care & Handling

Availability
Green Giant Fresh Green Beans are available year round.

Selection
Green Giant Fresh Green Beans and Green Beans & Carrots blend are trimmed, washed and pre-packaged for your convenience. Your grocer should display these items in the refrigerated case and only display product that is within the best if used by date.

Storage
Refrigerate in the bag or in a resealable plastic bag and store in the crisper.

Preparation
Leave the beans whole for cooking or cut them crosswise or diagonally into 1" to 2" lengths.

Cooking
Blanching: A relatively brief immersion in lots of rapidly boiling water will insure that snap beans retain their bright color while also tenderizing them. Snap beans can be precooked by blanching, then quickly reheated in a little stock at mealtime (a favorite restaurant method). Drop a few beans at a time (whole or cut-up) into a large pot of boiling water so that the water continues to boil; cook to the desired doneness. Drain and serve them while they are still al dente, or cook them until they are more tender, as you prefer. Drain the beans (cool them under cold water if you are going to serve them cold). Cooking time: 5 to 8 minutes.

Microwaving: Place a pound of cut snap beans in a microwavable dish with 1/4 cup of water or broth; cover and cook until tender, stirring beans midway through cooking. Cooking time: 5 to 8 minutes.

Steaming: Use a steamer basket over boiling water or cook the beans in a small amount of boiling water in a tightly covered pot. Cooking time: about 5 to 8 minutes.

Stir-frying: Cut beans into 1" lengths and stir-fry with thin strips of beef or poultry, or in combination with vegetables such as broccoli, mushrooms, or water chestnuts. Cooking time: 2 to 5 minutes