Recipe: Green Beans with Walnut Oil and Thyme

Serves 8

- 1/3 cup walnuts

- 1 ½ pounds green beans, ends snapped off

- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt, or to taste, divided

- 1 ½ tablespoons walnut oil

- 1 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

-2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme leaves

- Freshly ground black pepper

1. Toast nuts in a dry skillet until fragrant. Cool and chop finely. (This can be done a couple of days in advance. Store in an airtight container.)

2. Bring 2 ½ quarts water to a boil in a large saucepan. Cut beans into 2-inch lengths. Add beans and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until beans are tender, about 5 minutes. Drain beans well and plunge into cold water to stop the cooking. Pat dry with paper towels. Wrap in dry paper towels and put in a plastic bag. Refrigerate up to 24 hours.

3. Remove beans from refrigerator 30 minutes before reheating. In a large skillet, heat walnut and olive oils over medium heat. When hot, add beans and toss a couple of minutes until warmed through. Add walnuts, ¼ teaspoon salt, thyme and some pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Transfer to a heated serving bowl and serve immediately.

Editor's note: Be sure that guests with nut allergies are aware of the walnuts and walnut oil in this recipe.

Adapted from "Vegetables Every Day" by Jack Bishop