Christmas Green Beans

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1 pound green beans
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 lemon
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• parmesan cheese, optional, freshly shredded

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the garlic and cook, stirring often, until the garlic just begins to brown, about 1-2 minutes.
3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic to a small plate or bowl.
4. Add the green beans to the butter in the skillet, tossing to coat.
5. Cook the green beans over medium heat, stirring often, until just beginning to brown slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Add the cooked garlic and the water to the skillet and cook until the water is evaporated and the green beans are tender-crisp.
7. Squeeze the halved lemon over the beans, stirring to incorporate the lemon juice into the beans.
8. Season the beans with the salt and the pepper.
9. Sprinkle the beans with the parmesan and serve.