Green Beans

Garlic Green Beans with Red pepper

1 pound green beans, stems trimmed
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 red bell pepper (capsicum), seeded and julienne
1/2 teaspoon chili paste or red pepper flakes
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cut the beans into 2-inch pieces. Bring a large saucepan 3/4 full of water to a boil. Add the beans and cook until they turn bright green and are tender-crisp, 1 to 3 minutes. Drain the beans, then plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.

In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the bell pepper and toss and stir for about 1 minute. Add the beans and saute for 1 minute longer. Add the chili paste and garlic and stir for 1 minute. The beans will be tender and bright green. Drizzle with the sesame oil and season with the salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Green Beans and Red Onion with Warm Mustard Vinaigrette

1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed
1 cup vertically sliced red onion
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cook green beans in boiling water for 6 minutes or until crisp-tender, and drain. Combine the green beans and onion in a large bowl.
Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add vinegar, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and black pepper; cook over medium heat 30 seconds or until thoroughly heated, stirring vinaigrette constantly with a whisk. Drizzle vinaigrette over bean mixture; toss well to coat. Serve immediately.