French Beans

Ingredients

• French beans
• coarse sea salt
• water
• 2 tablespoons broth
• cream
• butter
• flour
• pepper
• vinegar
• chives or shallot
• parsley

Directions

1. Cut off the ends and stalks of the French beans and divide them in half or shred them.

2. Soak the beans in salt water until the saucepan boils, then add them with some salt.

3. Once cooked, serve immediately to preserve their green color.

4. For a creamy version, drain the beans when half done, add to strained broth, cream, butter, and flour, and stew gently until tender.

5. Alternatively, boil scarlet runner beans for 20 minutes or until tender, then season with pepper and salt.

6. For a richer flavor, mince and stew boiled beans in beef gravy.

7. To prepare, simmer beans in soft water to avoid breaking them.

8. In a stewpan, cook finely shredded onion in butter rolled in flour until tender, then add the beans and a little hot water.

9. Stir until it simmers, then season with salt, vinegar, minced chives or shallot, and parsley for color.

10. Serve the beans hot, either in a covered dish or alongside roast mutton.