GREEN BEANS WITH BRAZIL NUTS AND BASIL

Green Beans with Brazil Nuts and Basil image

Yield serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

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Sea salt
1 pound green beans, trimmed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped shallot
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely ground Brazil nuts or walnuts
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Steps:

Bring a generous amount of water (about 8 cups) to a boil. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and the green beans and cook until tender but still crisp, 3 to 6 minutes. Drain the green beans, then run them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat, then add the shallot and a pinch of salt and sauté until translucent, about 1 minute. Stir in the beans, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add several grinds of pepper, a spritz of the lemon juice, and the nuts. Toss with the basil and lemon zest before serving.
variation
If you don't have Brazil nuts, Maple-Glazed Walnuts (page 141) make a great substitute.
storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 days.
nutrition information
(per serving)
Calories: 320
Total Fat: 8.3g (1.1g saturated, 4.1g monounsaturated)
Carbohydrates: 47g
Protein: 18g
Fiber: 12g
Sodium: 110mg
CULINARY RX
Nuts may suppress the growth of cancers because they contain the antioxidants quercetin and kaempferol. Brazil nuts have especially powerful anticancer properties, as each one contains 80 micrograms of selenium, a trace mineral that may fight prostate cancer.