Petite Green Beans with Sweet Onions, Walnuts and Creamy Gorgonzola

I’m such a veggie lover, that I could make a meal out of what most people would think of as their side dish. Since my husband’s gone fishing, that’s exactly what I did with this green bean dish.

Coscto sells the best tender, petite green beans. I think petite green beans make a better side dish where the star is the beans. They have such an elegant look, and they cook up in a flash.

I have to admit that I had two servings for dinner, with a really great glass of wine. What a wonderful way to spend the evening. Good food, good wine, and a good book.

Hey! Wouldn’t this make a great holiday side dish? You could even prepare the beans the night before, then add the toppings the day of. That’s a great idea, even if I do say so myself.

Happy cooking!

Serves 4

1 pound petite green beans, washed and trimmed
½ large sweet onion, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon thyme, fresh, minced
1 tablespoon parsley, fresh, minced
1 tsp dijon mustard
¼ cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh
4 tablespoons walnuts, toasted and chopped
4 tablespoons gorganzola cheese , crumbled

salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat olive oil in non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and green beans. Cover and cook 8 – 10 minutes until beans are crisp-tender.
2. Whisk together thyme, parsley, dijon and chicken broth. Add to pan when veggies are crisp-tender and cook another 2 – 3 minutes to allow broth to reduce a bit
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes so that the cheese doesn’t completely melt when sprinkled on top.
4. Toss with lemon juice, and top with toasted walnuts and cheese.

What’s good for me in this dish?

Green beans are high in vitamins K, A, and C, as well as manganese and fiber. Vitamin K is important for bone health, and a serving of green beans provides your daily requirements for this crucial vitamin. They also provide protection against atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease.Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce the symptoms of asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, chives and shallots contain sulfur compounds that may protect against heart disease and some cancers, they can all help the liver eliminate toxins and carcinogens. High in chromium, a mineral shown to improve insulin, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while increasing good HDL-cholesterol levels.

Calories: 161
Total Fat: 9.94g
Cholesterol: 6mg
Sodium: 176mg
Total Carbs: 13.42g
Dietary Fiber: 5.14g
Sugars: 3.96g
Protein: 6.49g
Weight Watchers Points 3

Nutrition details obtained from whfoods.org, nutritiondata.com, about.com, and abouthomecooking.com I am not a licensed nutritionist, nor a medical professional, and do not mean this information as medical or nutrition advice. See your medical professional if you have questions regarding your nutritional needs.

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