green beans with almonds and caramelized shallots

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1/4 cup blanched slivered almonds
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 5 small shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 45 mins


• place the slivered almonds in a dry skillet over low heat, and cook and stir constantly until the almonds are lightly toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. watch carefully, because they burn easily. remove the almonds and set aside.
• heat butter in a skillet over medium-low heat, and cook and stir the shallots and red bell pepper until softened, about 8 minutes. sprinkle the shallot mixture with sugar, salt, and pepper, and reduce heat to low. cover, and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the shallots caramelize, 5 to 8 minutes.
• place a steamer insert into a saucepan, fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer, and bring the water to a boil. add the green beans, cover, and steam until just tender enough to pierce with a fork, 7 to 8 minutes. drain the green beans, place them into the skillet with the shallot mixture, mix well, and gently stir in the toasted almonds.