Sweet and Spicy Green Beans

By [e-mail]

Ingredients

• 2 (12-oz) bags fresh trimmed green beans
• 6 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped
• 6 pitted Medjool dates, coarsely chopped
• 1 lemon, for juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, finely crushed

Preparation

Step 1

Microwave beans following package instructions. Chop garlic (1 tablespoon) and dates. Squeeze lemon for juice (2 tablespoons). Combine lemon juice, honey, and red pepper.
Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Place oil and garlic in pan; cook 1–2 minutes, stirring often, or until garlic is lightly browned. Add dates and stir to coat with oil so the pieces don't stick together. Stir lemon-honey mixture into pan; cook 1–2 minutes or until thick and glossy.
Add beans and salt; cook 2–3 minutes, stirring often, or until beans are hot and glazed. Crush pecans into crumbs. Transfer beans to serving platter; sprinkle with pecans and serve.