My 13 year-old niece Olivia loves cooking. She was the first child I knew who loved nori rolls. My sister and I have even taught cooking classes at several of her slumber parties. She is also Abby’s big sister.

Next weekend she will be performing in a community children’s theater production of Grease. She is super excited, of course. I guess I am, too. 🙂

Olivia’s whole family loves green beans. Her mom frequently cooks them with just a little coconut oil and sea salt. Here is another of Olivia’s favorite ways to prepare them:

Thank you to one of my readers for finding a source of organic sliced almonds!

Green Beans with Almonds

4-6 cups green beans, cut into 2″ pieces (1# yields about 5 cups)
2 tsp olive oil
sea salt
1/4 cup sliced almonds
squeeze of lemon

1.  Bring a pot with several inches of water to a boil. Blanch the green beans in two to three batches for 20-30 seconds, just until bright. Remove from water and spread on a plate so they cool and don’t keep cooking.

2.  Heat the olive oil in a skillet on low-medium heat. Add the almonds and a pinch of sea salt. Sauté the almonds, stirring frequently, until they start to turn light brown.

3.  Add the green beans and continue to sauté for a minute or two more. Remove from heat. Squeeze a little lemon juice on top.

Note:
You can replace the sliced almonds with the same amount of coarsely chopped raw almonds.

Other Olivia Favorites:  Nori Rolls, Hand Rolls and Fresh Salad Rolls.

Check out her other recipe:  Olivia’s Summer Salad.