Best Ever Green Beans

Ingredients (8)

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced into several pieces
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 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