Recipe - Sauteed Green Beans And Mushrooms

1 pound Fresh green beans
2 tablespoon Salt
One half pound Mushrooms
2 tablespoon Olive oil
1 tablespoon Unsalted butter
3 tablespoon Pine nuts
1 teaspoon Chopped fresh tarragon=OR=
One fourth teaspoon Dried tarragon

Snap both ends off the beans and pull off any strings. Cut large pole beans
crosswise into 2inch pieces. Don't cut smaller French haricots verts. Fill
a mixing bowl or medium pot with 4 cups cold water and add 1 tray of ice
cubes. Set aside. Bring 4 quarts of water with 2 tablespoons kosher salt to
a boil over high heat and add the beans. The water will stop boiling when
you add the beans. After it has returned to the boil, cook the beans,
uncovered, until tender but still crisp. This will take from 3 to 5 minutes
depending on the size and age of the beans. Remember that this is only a
preliminary preparation so do not overcook the beans. Drain the beans and
place them immediately into the ice water. Stir until cool, then drain.
Spread the beans on towels and pat dry. Meanwhile, slice mushrooms thinly
and set aside on a plate. Heat the oil and butter in a medium skillet over
medium heat and add the pine nuts and mushrooms. If using dried tarragon,
add it now. Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes. Add the green beans and fresh
tarragon and cook until beans are hot, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to
a serving platter and serve immediately.

Michael Roberts, "Prodigy Guest Chefs Cookbook"

From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini