Wash the beans by placing them in a colander and thoroughly rinsing them under cool water. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
Line the green beans up on a cutting board so that the tips are even. Use a sharp knife to cut off the tips with one slice.
Flip the green beans around and realign them so that the tips on the other side are even. Again, slice off the tips with a single motion.
Blanch green beans by placing in boiling water for 1 minute and then move them to an ice bath.
Place frying pan on medium heat. Place butter and sugar into a frying pan, and add green beans, sauté for 5 minutes.
Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 4 days.