French Beans With Toasted Hazelnuts Recipes

GREEN BEANS WITH TOASTED HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Place hazelnuts in small nonstick skillet.
• Stir over medium heat until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes.
• Sprinkle with salt and set aside.
• Cook beans in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
• Drain. (Can be made up to 2 hours ahead. Let beans stand in colander.).
• Melt butter in same pot over medium-high heat.
• Add beans and vinegar; toss to coat and heat through, about 2 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer to serving bowl.
• Sprinkle with hazelnuts.

PROVENCAL FRENCH BEANS

Steps:

• Place the beans in a bowl and cover with water. Soak in the refrigerator overnight.
• Drain the beans, place in a large saucepan with the chicken stock, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, until tender but not mushy. Add 1 tablespoon of salt for the last 10 minutes of cooking. Drain, reserving the stock.
• In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil, then add the onions, diced carrots, and celery, and cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until tender. Add the parsley, garlic, rosemary, and thyme and cook for 1 more minute. Add the beans and 2 cups of the cooking stock. (If you dont have enough liquid, add additional stock or water to make 2 cups.) Cook for 15 minutes until the stock makes a little sauce, adding more stock if necessary. Finish with the Parmesan cheese. Serve with a garnish of chopped parsley.

GREEN BEANS IN HAZELNUTS AND CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until slightly darkened and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Remove the nuts, chop, and set aside.
• Top and tail the green beans, and cook them in a large pot of boiling salted water, until tender. Drain and rinse under cold running water to set the colour.
• Heat the oil in a skillet, add the shallot, 1 minute, then add the beans and toss to heat through. Season the beans with salt, and pepper. Add a squirt of lemon juice, to taste. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the creme fraiche to coat. Toss in the hazelnuts, and chopped herbs. Arrange the beans on a warm platter, and serve.

FRENCH STRING BEANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Blanch the string beans in a large pot of boiling salted water for just 4 minutes. Drain immediately and immerse in a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. When they are cool, drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl toss the onion and bell peppers together with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes, tossing with a spatula from time to time to be sure the vegetables roast evenly.
• Just before serving, reheat the string beans in a large saute pan drizzled with a little olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and arrange on a platter. Spoon the roasted vegetables over the string beans and serve hot or at room temperature.