How do you make your green beans?

A little while ago someone asked me how I prepared my green beans. I realized the real answer is...lots of different ways! 
But here's one of my favorite variations. It's got some Italian spices, so it goes well with lots of other things. It's a quick and easy dish (garlic salt instead of regular garlic, it's easy to use the microwave instead of the stove top, etc.). I made it the other night when I was looking for something fast to go with my seitan and roasted fingerling potatoes.

Delicious Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
What You'll Need:
1 lb of green beans
about 1/4 cup of slivered almonds (you may want less, I like LOTS of almonds)
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried rubbed sage
1/4 tsp garlic salt
salt and pepper, to taste

What You'll Need to Do:
Prepare the green beans however you normally would to get them tender. This can involve steaming in a pot, or even microwaving, if you're into that kind of thing. Meanwhile, prepare the almonds. 

Throw the almonds in a dry frying pan or sauté pan, and raise the heat to medium or medium-low. Keep moving them around and monitor them closely, being careful not to let the burn. When they become fragrant, they're almost ready, but let them go a little longer until they begin to turn golden brown. Then throw in about 1/2 of your spices and mix them around for a minute or so. Add your green beans, and drizzle with a little bit of oil. Mix them up really well and add the rest of the spice mix. If you want to add a few splashes of white cooking wine, go for it! Add some salt and pepper and adjust any of the seasoning to taste.

I hope you like it! Writing this entry has inspired me to share more green bean variations...hopefully more to come soon!