We have made the transition from N.C. to Florida. It is always hard to leave my Lake Lure Kitchen, but I have to say that it is nice to be able to walk the dog without wearing a jacket. I am getting into the Christmas spirit with the tree up and the wreaths on the door, but I haven’t started shopping or baking yet. I did make these green beans the other day. I included chopped pickled beets in the mix and the whole dish made me think of Christmas.
This dish would be perfect on any holiday table.
Thanks to all of you for your support in the Food52 recipe contest. Unfortunately I did not win, but they have contests every month, so there is always hope. Right now the contest is “The Best Thing You Ate This Year”. I would be curious as to what you would choose.
CHRISTMAS GREEN BEANS
1 pound French green beans (haricot vert), trimmed
2 teaspoons minced garlic ( 2 cloves )
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest ( 2 lemons )
3 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons tasted pine nuts
2 1/2 tablespoons good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 to 5 jarred pickled beets, sliced into strips
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch them for 2 to 3 minutes, until tender but still crisp. Drain the beans in a colander and immediately put them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and preserve their bright green color.
For the gremolata, toss the garlic, lemon zest, parsley, Parmesan, and pine nuts in a small bowl and set aside.
When ready to serve, heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Drain the beans and pat them dry. Add the beans to the pan and saute, turning frequently, for 2 minutes, until coated with olive oil and heated through. Off the heat, add the gremolata and toss well. Add the pickled beet strips and sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and serve.
Darn! I wish you would have won!! These beans look and sound wonderful. Glad to know you made it back to Florida safe and sound. Do you know that it will be 72 degrees here this weekend!!
Hugs,
Penny
Penny, your green beans look fantastic. As for the best, I have pinned so many of your dishes, I will have to give it some more thought. 🙂
I was thinking what was the best thing I made this year. I am still pondering. I think it is the angel hair pasta with feta. It is so quick and the pine nuts just takes it to a professional level.
It was 80º this week. Hardly holiday weather. They are threatening us with rain this winter. I hope we get a big snowpack in the mountains. If it rains we get slides and it all runs off to the ocean.
Perfect! And enjoy the sunshine state!
Penny, This looks delicious. I have developed a taste for beets(always hated them as a child) & love the idea of using them with green breans. I thought sure you would win the contest. So glad you are having nice weather. It is very mild in VA, as well. I still have a tropical ginger growing on my deck, although I covered it with a sheet for a few nights when it was below freezing. Heading to Cary this weekend to see Rachel perform in the Cary Christmas parade with the YMCA Super Skippers. It’s supposed to be 71 and sunny both Sat and Sun! See you on Christmas Day.
Hi Penny, sounds like it is a bittersweet experience twice a year. Here in Az our lemon and grapefruit trees are ripening a little earlier than usual, wondering if you are experiencing that in Florida. Your green beans look delicious, love the green and red together, so festive.
I’m sorry you didn’t win, Penny. You got my vote. That would take some serious thought to come up with the best thing I ate all year. What a beautiful green bean dish with the sliced beets. Perfect colors for a holiday table too! Enjoy Florida!
Funny, turns out that it’s Florida weather back in NC for Christmas anyway, ha ha. Happy holidays to you and your family!