spicy yellow beans with shallots + lemon

I’ll be honest with you, I don’t flip out over string beans.

But, I really do enjoy them when they’re fresh and in season, especially the skinny ones. I’m convinced that the yellow ones taste differently (questionable), so I buy a bunch because they’re pretty and I have to have them. It’s like finding purple cauliflower…

Yellow or green, I make my string beans the same way every time; chili flakes and shallots, with a hit of juicy lemon at the end. Season with flaky sea salt. Eat straight from the pan. And yes, no matter how I cook them they still squeak (what’s up with that?!) Someone once told me that squeaky beans = undercooked. What do you think? I’m on the fence.

I’ve accepted these beans with their inherent squeakiness, as I find this dish incredibly refreshing and easy to make. Chili and lemon happens to be one of my favorite flavor combinations. You can control the amount of heat (or nix it altogether) but for me, it’s all about finding the right balance. I love this with a nice piece of grilled fish or chopped up in pasta with a generous amount of parmesan cheese ;)

Tips:

• I use a 1 pan cooking method which involves both steaming and sauteing. This ensures that the beans will be soft in the center, yet crisp-tender on the outside.
• I’m partial to haricots verts for their thin, tender texture and sweet flavor. Both yellow or green will work for this recipe.
• Instead of dried chili flakes, you can substitute with fresh chili for a fruity, spicy kick.

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