Glazed Chestnuts With Haricots Verts Food

ROASTED HARICOTS VERTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Trim the stem ends only from the haricots verts and place them on two sheet pans. Drizzle the beans with 2 tablespoons of the oil (total) and spread them out in one layer. Sprinkle them with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 10 minutes, until crisp-tender. Serve hot.

SAUTEED HARICOTS VERTS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Set up a bowl of well-salted ice water for shocking.
• Add the beans to the boiling water and cook until tender but still have some bite, 5 to 7 minutes. Strain and immediately transfer the beans to the salted ice water. Once cool, strain and set aside until ready to use.
• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper, and set over medium-high heat. When the garlic becomes golden and very aromatic, remove it and discard. It has fulfilled its garlic destiny. Add the beans to the pan and saute until hot and coated with oil. Transfer the beans to a serving bowl, season with salt and serve right away.

HARICOTS VERTS WITH BACON AND CHESTNUTS

Steps:

• Cook beans in a medium pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 4 quarts water), uncovered, until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain and plunge into an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain well and pat dry.
• Cook bacon in a large heavy skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels, reserving fat in skillet, then crumble. Add butter to fat in skillet along with beans, chestnuts, bacon, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.

GLAZED CHESTNUTS WITH HARICOTS VERTS

Steps:

• Cook shallot in 2 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add chestnuts, broth, and liqueur and simmer, swirling skillet occasionally, until liquid is evaporated and chestnuts are glazed, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and keep warm.
• Cook beans in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water , uncovered, until crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain in a colander, then transfer beans with tongs to a large bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Drain well.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until lightly browned. Add beans and toss until heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve beans topped with chestnuts.
• *Available at some supermarkets and specialty foods shops.
• **Available at Laird & Co. (877-438-5247).

GREEN BEANS WITH SHALLOTS, HAZELNUTS, AND TARRAGON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven, tossing halfway through, until skins are splitting and nuts are fragrant, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to steam and cool, then rub the nuts with a kitchen towel to remove their skins. Roughly chop the hazelnuts and set aside.
• In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add shallots and cook, tossing, until lightly golden and softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• Reduce heat to medium, and add 1/2 cup water, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, salt, and pepper to the same pan. Add the haricots verts and toss to coat. Cover pan and cook, tossing occasionally, until bright green and crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Remove cover, raise heat to high and cook until the water evaporates and the beans are glazed, about 3 minutes more. Toss green beans with tarragon, lemon zest, hazelnuts, and sautéed shallots. Serve immediately.