Sauteed Green Beans (or Asparagus)*

Ingredients

• 1 lb. green beans, washed, dried, with ends and tips trimmed
• 4 medium shallots or 1 medium red onion sliced.4-5 minced garlic cloves
  
• 2 teaspoons of Deanz Mediterranean Spice Blend, Vegetarian
• Zest of 1 lemon and juice of 1 lemon
• ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
• 4 tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1 red or yellow bell pepper cut in thin julienne cut (matchstick style thin strips)

Directions

• Blanch the green beans in boiling salted water in a large pot for two minutes, then drain and immerse the beans in a large bowl of ice-cold water (shocking the vegetables) till completely cold (no more than 3 minutes). Then dry the vegetables thoroughly. (The vegetables will have a nice bright color and should still be crunchy)
• In a large bowl mix the vegetables with Deanz Mediterranean Spice Blend, Vegetarian and 2 tablespoons of olive oil and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
• Heat a large skillet or pan on medium-high heat add olive oil and sauté the onions for three minutes till translucent but still crunchy, then add the minced garlic and sauté for a minute; add the bell peppers and stir for a few seconds and then add three teaspoons of butter and let it melt, then add the vegetables coating the butter on the vegetables; stir the vegetables thoroughly for three  minutes,  add lemon zest and lemon juice and toss for another minute or so.
• Check for salt and then plate the vegetables and serve!

*Same recipe can be used for any other vegetables, like asparagus.