Lemony Green Beans

1 teaspoon salt
1 pound green beans
1 lemon
1½ tablespoons olive oil or butter
salt and pepper

1. In a covered saucepan, bring 3 or 4 inches of water and the salt to a boil. Rinse the green beans and trim the stem ends. When the water boils, add the green beans and cook until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

2. While the beans are cooking, grate the lemon peel and juice the lemon and set aside. (You’ll need 1½ tablespoons of lemon juice and about 1½ teaspoons of lemon zest.)

3. When the beans are tender, drain them and return them to the pan. Add the olive oil or butter and the lemon juice and toss to coat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve sprinkled with the lemon zest.