Ellis Island's green beans
Dear SOS: There is a small off-Strip casino in Las Vegas called Ellis Island. Its cafe serves the most delicious green beans I’ve ever had. It seems like a simple preparation with butter and garlic, but all my attempts to duplicate it have fallen short. I’d be very grateful if you can obtain the recipe.
Sam Dilworth, Los Angeles
Dear Sam: Ellis Island Casino & Brewery was happy to share its recipe for green beans, and there is no shortage of garlic flavor. “The secret to the green beans is our own blend of garlic salt and fresh chopped garlic,” the restaurant writes.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Immediately strain the beans and place in an ice bath to cool. When the beans are cool, drain and set aside.
Make the garlic salt: In a small bowl, combine the black pepper, onion powder, granulated garlic and salt. This makes a generous tablespoon garlic salt.
Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the olive oil, then the chopped garlic, and cook until the garlic is aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the green beans and toss until warmed through. Remove from heat and toss in one-half of the garlic salt. Taste and add additional garlic salt as desired (we added almost all of it). Serve immediately.
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