Green beans with prosciutto: a seemingly simple combination, yet one that delivers a symphony of flavors and textures on your plate. This classic Italian side dish is effortlessly elegant, perfect for weeknight dinners, festive gatherings, or even a light lunch. But beyond its beauty lies a surprising versatility, waiting to be explored. Today, we dive deep into the world of green beans with prosciutto, from the classic recipe to exciting variations and gourmet twists.
Green Beans and Prosciutto: A Match Made in Flavor Heaven
The magic of this dish lies in the contrasting elements that come together beautifully. The crisp, earthy green beans offer a refreshing lightness, perfectly balanced by the salty, savory richness of the prosciutto. Each bite is a textural delight, with the snap of the beans against the melt-in-your-mouth prosciutto, creating a truly satisfying experience.
But the flavor story doesn’t end there. The subtle sweetness of the green beans, often overlooked, emerges when paired with the salty prosciutto. This interplay of sweet and savory is further enhanced by the addition of aromatics like garlic and herbs, creating a symphony of taste that keeps you coming back for more.
The Classic Recipe: A Timeless Foundation
The classic green beans with prosciutto recipe is a testament to the power of simplicity. Here are the essentials you’ll need:
- Fresh green beans: Choose firm, crisp green beans for the best texture.
- Prosciutto: Opt for thinly sliced prosciutto for a delicate melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Olive oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil adds depth and richness to the dish.
- Garlic: A touch of minced garlic and shallot adds an aromatic base.
- Lemons: Lemon juice and zest gives this dish a bright flavor.
- Salt and pepper: To taste, to enhance the natural flavors.
Make sure to make up a big batch of my garlic-shallot puree before making this recipe. It holds well in the refrigerator for several weeks, and is great to have on hand for a variety of dishes!
To make this green beans recipe, all you need to do is boil the green beans and sauté the diced prosciutto (or pancetta) until crisp.
Then, it’s just a matter of throwing everything back into the pan and sautéing it with some garlic shallot puree, lemon zest and a splash of fresh squeezed lemon juice.
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Garlic Green Beans with Prosciutto
Recipe by Jason Hill – CookingSessions.comIngredients
- 2 pounds green beans
- 4 ounces prosciutto diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic-shallot puree
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
- Extra-virgin olive oil for cooking
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for about 4 minutes. Strain green beans and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Add the diced prosciutto and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
- Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the green beans, garlic-shallot puree, and salt and pepper to your taste.
- Saute, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice. Season again to taste. Remove to a serving dish and top with the crispy prosciutto.
