Master Recipe
Boiled Green Beans
serves four
NOTE: The
freshness and thickness of the beans can greatly affect cooking
time. Thin, farm-fresh beans—not much thicker than a strand of
cooked linguine—may be done in just 2 minutes. Most supermarket
beans are considerably thicker and have traveled some distance,
hence the 5-minute cooking time recommended below. Dress the beans
with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil or a pat of butter as well
as a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper. Or make one of the
variations.
1 pound green beans, ends snapped off
1 teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
Bring 21/2 quarts of water to boil in large saucepan. Add beans and salt and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and season as directed in variations or note above.
VARIATIONS:
Green Beans with Toasted Walnuts and Tarragon
Other nuts, especially pine nuts and hazelnuts, and other herbs, especially parsley and basil, may be used in a similar fashion.
Follow Master Recipe, placing drained beans in large serving bowl. Add 1/4 cup chopped and toasted walnuts and 11/2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon leaves. Drizzle with 11/2 tablespoons walnut or extra-virgin olive oil and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm or at room temperature.
Green Beans with Fresh Tomato, Basil, and Goat Cheese
Follow Master Recipe, placing drained beans in large serving bowl. Add 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves, and 1 ounce crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar and toss gently to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm or at room temperature.
Green Beans with Bacon and Onion
Fry 4 strips bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, in large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon from pan with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons bacon drippings. Add 1 medium onion, minced, to drippings and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Follow Master Recipe, adding drained beans to skillet. Toss to heat through, 1 to 2 minutes. Add bacon and season with salt (sparingly) and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.