Zesty Green Beans

 Ingredients:

2 pounds green beans with the ends trimmed off
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3-4 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes, use less if you don’t like them spicy
Lemon zest or lemon pepper to taste
Sprinkle salt to taste
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Directions:|

1. Use a steamer to blanch the green beans.  Steam them until they are as bright green as you can get them while still remaining crisp and crunchy.
2. In a skillet, heat butter, oil, garlic cloves, and herbs over medium heat until the garlic is clear, but not dark brown.
3. Add the green beans and cover with the oil.
4. Remove from heat and add the Parmesan cheese while oil is hot.