Stars at the Holidays 2009

"I love Thanksgiving. What could be better than a holiday devoted to eating?"

Ingredients:
• 3 lbs. French green beans
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 shallots, minced
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced
• 1½ tbsp freshly grated lemon zest
• 1½ tsp kosher salt
• ¾ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
1 Bring a large pot of hot water to a boil over high heat. Add green beans and cook 2 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare an ice-water bath (ice and cold water in a big bowl). Drain boiled beans and plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain. (This step can be done a day before; refrigerate beans until ready to cook.) 2 In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add shallots and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook 2 minutes. Add beans, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Cook until beans are heated through, about 5 minutes.