Ingredient:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced into several pieces
• ½ cup sliced almonds
• ¼ cup thinly sliced shallot (about 1 small)
• 1 pound haricots verts or slender green beans, trimmed
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice, to taste
• 1 tablespoon + ½ cup water, divided
• ½ teaspoon fine salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste