Green Beans with Toasted Garlic

Only eat this if the people around you also eat it, as you'll wreak of garlic, but it's worth it! All three variations below sound really good too!

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)
Ingredients:
1 pound green beans, trimmed
2 teaspoons butter
1 teaspoon olive oil
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:
1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add beans; cook 5 minutes. Plunge beans into ice water; drain.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and oil; swirl until butter melts. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Remove garlic; set aside. Add beans; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes, tossing frequently. Top with garlic.

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 67
Fat: 3.2g
Saturated fat: 1.4g
Monounsaturated fat: 1.3g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.3g
Protein: 2.3g
Carbohydrate: 9.2g
Fiber: 4g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Iron: 1.3mg
Sodium: 169mg
Calcium: 49mg

SESAME-SOY variation: Prepare beans through step 1. Heat 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper; sauté 30 seconds. Add beans, 1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce, and 1/8 teaspoon salt; cook 2 minutes, tossing frequently. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds. Yield: 4 servings.
CALORIES 72; FAT 3.8g (sat 0.5g); SODIUM 214mg

CITRUS-NUT variation: Prepare green beans through step 1. Combine beans, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; toss. Combine 2 tablespoons finely chopped blanched hazelnuts, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind, and 1 minced garlic clove; sprinkle over beans. Yield: 4 servings. CALORIES 90; FAT 5.7g (sat 0.7g); SODIUM 156mg

PEPPERY BACON variation: Prepare green beans through step 1. Cook 2 chopped bacon slices in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon, reserving 2 teaspoons drippings in pan. Add 2 tablespoons chopped shallots; sauté 2 minutes. Add beans; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook 2 minutes. Top with bacon. Yield: 4 servings.
CALORIES 76; FAT 3.6g (sat 1.3g); SODIUM 231mg