on Mar 31, 2014, Updated Oct 29, 2021 235 Comments I love planning spring meals, especially with all of the beautiful side dishes. Whether they are simple weeknight meals for my family or a more elaborate spread when we are entertaining friends or for our family Easter celebration, planning a meal in the spring just seems so bright with possibilities. Maybe it is because the weather promises to warm a bit and the afternoons are brighter as they days get longer. It may also be that after all the heavy, comforting meals of fall and winter, my body just knows it is time to lighten and brighten up a bit. I do love to include healthy side dishes that everyone will enjoy when I’m planning our menu, like this spring green beans recipe. Bright, beautiful and so full of flavor, you’d never guess how easy it is to prepare. In just a few minutes, you have this delicious dish that definitely pleases the eye as much as it does the palate. That’s probably one of my favorite tips about planning dishes for any menu, make sure it is just as beautiful as it is delicious. For these spring green beans, I used just a few ingredients yet created a dish with loads of flavor. The star ingredient, of course, is green beans. I drained and quickly sauteed them with a touch of olive oil and then tossed in thin slices of red onion. For serving, I squeezed a lemon over top of the green beans, added in a few fresh slices of lemon, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and voila, this simple side dish was ready to be devoured. While this recipe would be delicious served alongside a weeknight meal of fish or grilled chicken, I knew it would be perfect as part of a special spring meal, like Easter, with a simple roast chicken, my Mama’s squash recipe, classic deviled eggs, and a few other classic, yet simple favorites. Here’s my Spring Green Beans recipe followed by a menu plan perfect for your special spring supper you may have in the works. Enjoy!Robyn xo
