Steamed and Glazed Green Beans with Almonds

¼ cup sliced almonds

1½ teaspoons unsalted butter

1 pound fresh green beans, washed and stem ends trimmed

¼ cup spring water

1 tablespoon peanut oil

½ teaspoon sea salt

Fresh ground black pepper

Place a small skillet over medium heat and add the butter. When the butter melts, add the almonds and stir to coat. Cooking, stirring from time to time until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.

Place a large skillet over medium heat and add peanut oil, tipping and tilting the pan to coat the bottom. Add the green beans and stir to coat with the oil. Add the water and cover the pan. When steam starts to come out from under the cover, turn the heat down to medium low and cook for 4 minutes. Remove the cover, drain off any remaining water and then stir-fry the beans until just done; some will start to brown slightly. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.

Using tongs, remove the beans from the pan and place on a warm platter. Sprinkle the browned almonds and serve immediately.

Nutrition values per serving: 75 calories (64.4 percent from fat), 5.3 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 6.1 g carbohydrates, 2.6 g sugars, 2.5 g fiber, 2.2 g protein, 2.5 mg cholesterol, 194 mg sodium.

Note: There's one reason the percent of calories from fat's so high: the calories from the beans, even though it's a pound, are low (141 per pound). Fat grams per serving are a little over 5, just a little over a teaspoon.

Serves 4 to 6

Don Mauer