Orange Spice Green Beans
The key to a great meal is not only a tasty dish at the center of the meal, it’s in stellar side dishes that will rival the main course in appeal. Green beans get a flavor – and nutritional – boost from Limoneira® oranges and spices, for a side that will make everyone eager for seconds.
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans trimmed
- 1 Limoneira® orange zest & juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger finely grated
- 2 teaspoons liquid honey
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 shallots very thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
Instructions
30 Minutes Ahead (Or Night Before)
- Cut the beans in half cross-wise.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Just before you pop the beans in the water, fill a large bowl (or a clean sink) with ice and cold water.
- Add the beans to the boiling water, and allow them to blanch for 4 to 5 minutes only.
- As soon as 5 minutes are up, transfer them with a sieve to the ice water bath.
- Let the beans sit in the ice water for one or two minutes to stop the cooking process.
- Let the beans drain until they are very dry before you proceed to the next step.
- You can also store them in the fridge, covered, overnight.
Sauce & Beans
- Add the orange juice and zest, mustard, ginger and honey to a small bowl. Set aside for now.
- Melt the butter in a skillet at a medium setting, and saute the shallots and pine nuts for about 8 to 10 minutes, until shallots are browned.
- Add the beans to the pan, and season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Cook and stir for a minute or two.
- Add the mustard and ginger sauce, and stir to coat the beans evenly.
- Turn the heat down to a medium low setting, and contunue to cook and stir as the sauce thickens, for another 3 to 5 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
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