1. 1. Prepare the Green Beans: Start by washing your fresh green beans thoroughly under cold running water. Next, trim off the tough stem ends. You can do this by snapping them off by hand or using a knife. Some people also trim the tail end, but it’s not strictly necessary. Once trimmed, set them aside.

2. 2. Blanch the Green Beans (Optional but Recommended): For a vibrant color and perfectly tender-crisp texture, you can quickly blanch the green beans. Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender. Immediately drain them and plunge them into an ice bath (a bowl of ice water) to stop the cooking process. Drain again thoroughly and pat dry. If you skip blanching, the green beans will cook directly in the pan, which is also fine, but they might be a touch less vibrant.

3. 3. Melt the Butter: In a large skillet or frying pan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Swirl the pan to ensure the butter coats the bottom evenly. You want the butter to be fully melted and just starting to shimmer, but not browned.

4. 4. Saute the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter in the skillet. Saute for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic can taste bitter. Keep the heat at medium to medium-low during this step.

5. 5. Add Green Beans and Water: Add the trimmed (and blanched, if you did that step) green beans to the skillet with the garlic butter. Pour in the 2 tablespoons of water. The water helps to steam the green beans, ensuring they cook evenly and become tender without drying out.

6. 6. Season and Cook: Sprinkle the salt and black pepper over the green beans. Stir everything together to coat the beans evenly with the garlic butter mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cooking time will depend on how crisp or tender you prefer your green beans. For a tender-crisp texture, aim for the shorter end of the cooking time. For softer beans, cook a little longer.

7. 7. Check for Doneness and Serve: Once the green beans reach your desired tenderness, remove the lid. Give them one final stir. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately as a delicious and healthy side dish.