Green Beans with Walnuts and Dried Cherries

Serves: 4-6

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 8 min

Total:  20 min

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 shallot or 1/4 red onion, minced

3 tbsp. white wine vinegar

2 tbsp. fresh mint, chopped (or more)

1 tsp. sugar

salt and pepper

1/3 cup dried cherries or cranberries
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or slivered almonds, toasted

4-6 servings green beans, washed and trimmed

Directions

1. To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, onion, vinegar, mint, sugar, salt and pepper.  Add dried cherries or cranberries to the dressing and let them soak.
2. Using a steamer basket inside a pot, cook the beans until tender, about 6-8 minutes.  Or, microwave the beans until tender.
3. Drain and transfer to a large bowl and toss with the dressing.  Let cool to room temperature.
4. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with toasted walnuts or almonds.  Serve as a side dish for meat or fish.

Lightly adapted from Bon Appetit (November 2010)