French green beans recipe

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