Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic Herb Butter

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 pound green beans , stem ends snapped off, beans cut into 2-inch pieces
Salt and ground black pepper
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic, and thyme; set aside.
In a 12 inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat until it’s just smoking.  Add beans plus  1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper; cook and stir for 4-8 minutes, or until beans are spotty brown.
Add 1/4 cup water; cover and cook for 2 minutes.  Remove lid and cook until all the water has evaporated.
Stir in herb butter and cook beans for 1-3 minutes longer, or until beans are crisp-tender.  Toss with lemon juice and parsley if desired; serve immediately.