Quick Meals With Green Beans

Now that school is back in session, busy schedules can make it hard to find time to cook family meals. With a little planning and some simple, go-to dishes, dinner can be made in a flash! Green beans are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K, and of folic acid and fiber. Try these ideas for quick, healthy meals using green beans:

• First, wash fresh green beans and remove any tough ends. This is a great task to get the kids involved! Frozen and canned green beans work in most recipes as well, but remember to drain and rinse canned ones first.
• You CAN eat green beans without cooking them. Chop them into bite-sized pieces to add to a salad. Bonus tip: Add a variety of veggies to your salad and talk with your kids about which ones grow “up,down, or around”.
• Make a classic 3-Bean Salad and bring it to work for lunch. Mix in some cooked pasta and you’ll have a quick pasta salad!
• Try a Garden Vegetable Soup and use whatever veggies are in season or that you have on hand. Serve with some warm whole-wheat bread for dipping.
• An Asian-style stir-fry couldn’t be any quicker! Use whatever protein you like (chicken, beef, tofu for example) and serve over brown rice.
• If you are in the mood for some Italian flavors, you’ll love the Italian-Style Vegetables recipe. The oregano and tomato taste delicious with the green beans, but test out other herbs you might have on hand like basil or thyme.
• Already cooking something in the oven? Roast your green beans in the oven at the same time! Just toss with a touch of oil, salt, and pepper, then roast until soft and lightly browned.

If you’d like to learn more about how to cook with green beans and even how to grow them, visit this website.