How to Steam Green Beans

1. Trim the ends of the green beans. Hold a small handful of green beans and align their stems, then use a sharp knife to remove the tough ends. Place the green beans in the steamer insert.

On the stovetop:

1. Fill the bottom of a medium-sized saucepan with about 1 inch of water. Once the water boils, it should not touch the bottom of the steamer insert. If it does, pour out a bit of the water.
2. Once the water is boiling, place the steamer insert (with the green beans) into the saucepan and cover with a lid. Turn the heat down slightly so the water maintains a lively simmer.
3. Steam the green beans until it is tender, but not overcooked. This should take about 3 minutes, depending on the size of the green beans. French green beans may take less time. Insert a fork into one of the green beans. The fork should slide in easily, but with a bit of resistance. If you prefer a softer texture, increase the steaming time. Make sure there is still enough water in the bottom of the saucepan.

In the microwave:

1. Pour a few tablespoons of water into the bottom of a microwave-safe bowl. You don't need much - just enough to cover the bottom of the bowl. Place the green beans in the bowl and cover the bowl with an upside down, microwave-safe plate that's big enough to cover the lip of the bowl.
2. The cook time depends on a couple of factors, such as the wattage of your microwave and the size of the green beans. Three minutes is perfect in my microwave, but you may need to make adjustments to find the perfect cooking time.

Optional:

1. If you like, toss the steamed green beans with any of the optional ingredients listed above.