Green Beans Amandine

Here's a quick and easy side to serve during the holidays.  There's not much that can be made ahead, but it's really quick to do just before serving.  Feel free to switch out the pistachios and currants for any dried fruit and nut you'd like.

Green Beans Amandine

Ingredients

• 4 Tbsp. butter
• 1 lb. green beans, trimmed
• 1/2 cup pistachios, chopped
• 1/4 cup dried currants
• 1/4 cup water
• squirt of lemon juice
• salt & pepper, to taste

Serves 4 - 6
Cook time: 20 minutes

Melt butter in large sauce pan over medium heat.  Once butter has melted add pistachios and toast just a little to help bring out flavors, then add currants, salt and pepper.  Scrape onto plate and put green beans and water into pan.  Cover and cook, shaking frequently, 10-15 minutes, or until the green beans are as cooked through as you like (I prefer a bright green with a little snap to them still).  
Once beans are cooked add half the pistachio mixture back in and toss to combine; add more butter if necessary and a squirt of lemon juice.  Neatly arrange (so beans are all going in the same direction) in serving bowl or platter and top with remaining pistachio mixture.