Lemon Butter Green Beans

Ingredients

• 1 lb. green beans
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 lemon
• Salt and Freshly Cracked Pepper to taste

Directions

1. With a microplane, zester, or the fine side of a cheese grater, take off just the yellow outside of the lemon and keep it nearby. Trim the stems from the green beans, and snap them in half if you want smaller bites. Put the beans in a colander and give them a good rinse under cool water.
2. Move the washed green beans into a deep skillet. Pour in about 1 inch of fresh water; it should sit below the beans, not cover them. Cover the skillet, set the flame to medium-high, and let the water reach a boil. Cook the beans in the steam and bubbling water for 3-5 minutes, until they look bright green and are only a little tender. Check them with a fork.
3. As soon as the beans are bright green and slightly tender, shut off the heat and pour them into a colander to drain. Put the drained beans back into the warm skillet, keeping the heat off.
4. Add the butter, about 1/2 tsp of lemon zest, a quick squeeze of lemon juice, about 1 tsp, a pinch of salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Toss everything together so the seasoning coats the beans and the leftover warmth in the pan melts the butter.
5. Once the butter is completely melted, taste the green beans and adjust with more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or lemon zest if you like. Serve immediately.