As a Pil-Am, I’ve noticed that our cuisine has a lot of emphasis on meat, but what about vegetables? What about the Pilipin@s who are trying to cut back on pork or are vegetarians (or the elusive Pin@y vegan)?
We’re bombarded constantly to eat better, to have more veggies in our diet (preferably organic and fair trade). However, organic veggies are pretty expensive, and many post-graduate people don’t like to take the time to cook them properly due to busy work schedules and such. Also, a common gripe from my carnivorous friends is, “But there’s no meat! How could I eat veggies without a fat steak next to it?”
Well, look no further than your Trader Joes! All you need are some basic ingredients and 10 minutes!
Bernie’s Fast and Healthy Green Beans
(All ingredients can be purchased at TJ’s. I have listed some of the prices, but you can always modify the recipe according to your needs.)
2 cups of French green beans (they will be labeled as “haricot verts” and they come in a 16oz frozen bag for $1.99)
1 teaspoon of butter (you can substitute fake butter if desired)
2 tsp slivered almonds ($2.99 for a 6oz bag)
Couple dashes of garlic salt
(Optional) Hardboiled egg or cooked tofu, crumbled
1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar (I used the Modena one, $5.49 for a small bottle. It lasts a long time if you’re not big on this vinegar and it’s quite full-bodied--a little goes a long way.)
Cooking time: 9 minutes.
1) Heat the butter in a small pan over medium high heat. As the butter begins to melt and bubble slightly, add the frozen green beans and garlic salt.
2) With a spatula, sauté the beans in the butter, making sure each bean has been coated with melted butter. (this should take only a minute)
3) When you hear the beans sizzle, add the balsamic vinegar and stir again.
4) Let the beans cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can tell the beans are done when they’re slightly browned from the vinegar.
5) Serve in a deep bowl, and top with crumbled egg or tofu and almonds.
Since not much butter is used, this recipe is low fat and you get your protein fix! Enjoy!
