Green or Yellow Wax Beans

Sandra used to grow great-tasting bush beans, so plentiful that she says she's still sick of them.

I have never had a big garden and still love fresh green or yellow beans, just steamed and mixed with a little butter and salt. Here's another way to serve them.

 Wax Beans with Cheese

• 4 cups fresh or frozen wax beans
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 cup grated cheese
• 1 Tbsp oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt

1. In a skillet, melt the butter, add crumbs, stir over medium heat until crumbs are golden.
2. Stir in paprika and cheese. Remove from heat and mix.
3. Cook the beans in salted water, drain off liquid, toss with oil and garlic salt.
4. Put beans in a serving dish and sprinkle with the crumb mixture.

Nutty Green Beans

• 6 handfuls green beans, trimmed
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs or homemade crumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (hazelnuts, peanuts, or almonds)
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 tsp salt

1. Put washed and trimmed beans in a large pot of boiling water and cook until tender-crisp, 4-5 minutes, drain.
2. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high, add crumbs and nuts, stir frequently until lightly toasted, 2-3 minutes.
3. Stir in butter until melted and just starting to brown, 3 minutes.
4. Add cooked beans and sprinkle in salt. Cook until beans are hot again, about 3 minutes.