Green Beans with Pancetta and Mint

Name: Green Beans with Pancetta and Mint
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 6
Ingredients: 4 cups milk; 2 tbsp. kosher salt, plus more for seasoning; 2 tbsp. sugar; 2 lb. green beans; 1 ⁄ 3 lb. pancetta, diced; 3 tbsp. unsalted butter; 4 tbsp. chopped mint; 4 tbsp. chopped parsley; Freshly ground black pepper; 1 ⁄ 4 cup toasted chopped hazelnuts

Serves
serves 6

ANDRE BARANOWSKI

This green bean dish is mildly creamy, thanks to a quick blanching in milk, which also sweetens the beans slightly. A garnish of toasted chopped hazelnuts adds a lovely nutty crunch. This recipe appeared with Irene Sax's piece "Small Wonders" (November 2008), a tribute to Thanksgiving side dishes—though we think it works well anytime of year.

Ingredients

4 cups milk
2 tbsp. kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
2 tbsp. sugar
2 lb. green beans
¹⁄₃ lb. pancetta, diced
3 tbsp. unsalted butter
4 tbsp. chopped mint
4 tbsp. chopped parsley
Freshly ground black pepper
¹⁄₄ cup toasted chopped hazelnuts

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Instructions

Step 1

Bring milk, 4 cups water, 2 tbsp. of kosher salt, and sugar to a boil in a 6-qt. saucepan.

Step 2

Trim green beans and add to saucepan; cook until crisp–tender, 5–6 minutes. Drain, reserving 1⁄3 cup cooking liquid. Chill beans in ice water. Drain; set aside.

Step 3

Meanwhile, combine pancetta and 1 1⁄2 cups water in a 12" skillet; cook over medium heat until water evaporates and pancetta crisps, about 25 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to a plate, leaving 1 tbsp. fat in skillet. Place skillet over high heat and add beans and reserved cooking liquid; cook until liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add butter and 2 tbsp. each chopped mint and parsley. Cook until butter melts. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a platter; sprinkle with pancetta, hazelnuts, and remaining chopped mint and parsley.