Rinse the fresh green beans under cold water
Trim off the stem ends
Leave them whole or cut them into smaller pieces
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil
Add the green beans to the boiling water
Boil for 3 to 5 minutes until tender-crisp
Drain the beans
Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking
Heat butter or oil in a skillet if desired
Add garlic, salt, and pepper if desired
Toss the green beans in the skillet for 2 to 3 minutes
Serve warm