With only one week until Thanksgiving, ideas for which new dishes to serve this year abound. So, instead of waiting for my usual Saturday post, I decided to pop in here more frequently this week to share some of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes, that you also might want to try this year.
With the inevitable cooking marathon that lies ahead, selecting side dishes that are both easy to prepare and flavorful requires a plan. You can strike the “vegetable side” off your list with these bright and fresh green beans with sautéed shallots, which are a stark contrast to the customary casserole of canned beans topped with more canned “fried” onions.
The simplicity of the ingredients and the ease of preparation make this recipe a real winner. French green beans (haricots verts) cook quickly and, more important, should not require stringing. Sweet, caramelized shallots complement perfectly these crisp and tender beans. If pressed for time, you can even skip the blanching step and lift the beans from the pot of hot water and transfer them straight to the skillet with the sautéed shallots. No last minute attention is required for this dish!
Green Beans with Sautéed Shallots
- 1 lb. fresh, French green beans (haricots verts)
- ---- --- salt for blanching
- 2 TBSP. unsalted butter
- 1 TBSP. olive oil
- 3 large shallots, large-diced or sliced
- 2 oz. pancetta, diced into ¼" cubes (optional)
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- Blanch the French string beans in a large pot of boiling salted water for 2 minutes only. Drain immediately and immerse the beans in a bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking and set the color. Remove from the water and drain.
- Heat the butter and oil in a large, 12” skillet and sauté the shallots and the pancetta (if using) over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned.
- Drain the string beans and add to the shallots with the salt and the pepper, tossing well. Cook for a few more minutes to a desired doneness. Taste and adjust the seasoning and serve.
Marilena, thank you! I love the fresh green bean take on the traditional dish. Oh, the fragrance this will have –this will definitely be on our table! – Ratatouille
It is a very simple but delicious recipe. Shallots add a nice, sweet flavor to the beans and as they caramelize, the whole house smells great!
This does look tasty!:) I’ve always shied away from green beans, thinking they would come out to tough and/or bland…I’ll try it!:)