Rinse the green beans under cold water
Trim off the stem ends
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil
Add the green beans to the boiling water
Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until tender-crisp
Drain the green beans
Transfer them to a bowl of ice water if you want to stop the cooking
Heat a skillet with butter or oil
Add minced garlic if desired
Add the green beans to the skillet
Season with salt and pepper
Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally
Serve warm