Citrus-Infused Haricots Verts Delight
Elevate your vegetable side dish with this vibrant Citrus-Infused Haricots Verts Delight. Featuring fresh French green beans known as haricots verts, this recipe combines the bright, zesty flavors of oranges and grapefruits with the satisfying crunch of perfectly sautéed beans. A hint of garlic and the richness of cold butter create a luscious sauce that binds these components together, delivering a refreshing contrast to any main course. Ideal for family dinners or elegant gatherings, this dish is sure to impress your guests and add a splash of color to your plate.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
French haricots verts or green beans
1 bunch (washed and trimmed)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Garlic clove
1 (minced)
Orange zest
1 teaspoon (finely grated)
Water
2/3 cup (for simmering)
Navel orange
1 (segmented without membrane)
Red grapefruit
1 (segmented without membrane)
Sugar
1 teaspoon (for balancing acidity)
Cold butter
2 tablespoons (cut into small pieces)
Salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Begin by trimming the ends of the haricots verts or green beans and washing them thoroughly.
2
In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3
Add the trimmed beans to the pan, tossing them in the hot oil to ensure even coating. Sauté for about 2 minutes until the beans begin to brighten.
4
Stir in the minced garlic and finely grated orange zest, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
5
Pour in 2/3 cup of water, then reduce the heat to medium and allow the beans to simmer uncovered. Cook until the water has mostly evaporated, approximately 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the beans are evenly cooked. Remember that haricots verts will cook a little faster than regular green beans.
6
Once the beans are tender-crisp and the water has evaporated, transfer them to a serving dish and set aside.
7
In the same pan, carefully add the segmented orange and grapefruit, stirring gently to warm them through until their juices begin to release and simmer.
8
Sprinkle in the teaspoon of sugar, stirring to combine, and then remove the pan from the heat.
9
Add the cold butter in small pieces to the warm citrus mixture, stirring until the butter has melted and created a silky sauce.
10
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, then pour it over the prepared haricots verts, ensuring an even distribution of the fruit and sauce over the beans.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Citrus-Infused Haricots Verts Delight?
It is a vibrant vegetable side dish featuring French green beans, oranges, and grapefruits in a garlic-infused butter sauce.
What are haricots verts?
Haricots verts are fresh French green beans, which are typically thinner and more tender than standard green beans.
Can I use regular green beans for this recipe?
Yes, you can use regular green beans, though they may require a slightly longer cooking time than haricots verts.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 10 main ingredients, including the beans, citrus fruits, and seasonings.
How should the haricots verts be prepared before cooking?
The beans should be washed thoroughly and have their ends trimmed.
What type of oil is used for sautéing the beans?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
How long should the beans be sautéed initially?
The beans should be sautéed for about 2 minutes over medium-high heat until they begin to brighten.
When is the garlic added to the pan?
Minced garlic is added after the beans have sautéed for 2 minutes, along with the orange zest.
How much orange zest is required?
The recipe specifies 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest.
What is the purpose of adding water to the pan?
Water is added to simmer the beans until they are tender-crisp.
How much water should be added for simmering?
You should use 2/3 cup of water for the simmering process.
Should the pan be covered while the beans simmer?
No, the beans should simmer uncovered until the water has mostly evaporated.
How long does the simmering process take?
It takes approximately 4 to 6 minutes for the water to evaporate and the beans to cook.
What is the target texture for the cooked beans?
The beans should be cooked until they are tender-crisp.
Which citrus fruits are used in the sauce?
The recipe uses one navel orange and one red grapefruit.
How should the orange and grapefruit be prepared?
Both fruits should be segmented without the membrane.
What is the role of sugar in this recipe?
A teaspoon of sugar is used to help balance the acidity of the citrus fruits.
Why is cold butter added at the end?
Cold butter is stirred into the warm citrus mixture to create a silky, luscious sauce.
How much butter is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of cold butter, cut into small pieces.
When should the citrus segments be added to the pan?
The citrus segments are added after the beans have been removed from the pan and set aside.
How is the sauce seasoned?
The sauce is seasoned with salt and pepper to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this dish is vegetarian.
Can this recipe be served at elegant gatherings?
Yes, the description notes it is ideal for family dinners or elegant gatherings due to its vibrant colors and flavors.
What is the final step in assembling the dish?
The final step is to pour the citrus sauce and fruit segments over the prepared haricots verts.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 1 minced garlic clove.
At what heat should the beans be simmered?
The heat should be reduced to medium once the water is added.
What does the orange zest add to the dish?
The orange zest adds a bright, fragrant citrus aroma and flavor.
What makes the sauce 'silky'?
Stirring small pieces of cold butter into the warm fruit juices creates the silky consistency.
Can this dish be considered a salad?
Yes, it is tagged as both a healthy side dish and a salad.
What is the main flavor profile of this dish?
The dish is characterized by zesty citrus, savory garlic, and rich butter flavors.