Green Beans with Roquefort Cheese and Walnuts

SERVES: 4

PREP: 10 Min

COOK TIME: 14 Min

This is one of those easy side dish recipes we like to pull out when we're really trying to impress company... like when the in-laws come to visit! Our Green Beans with Roquefort Cheese and Walnuts is a sophisticated twist on your usual green bean recipe. Roquefort cheese is a sheep milk blue cheese from the south of France, and when aged properly, it has a distinctive flavor that'll really "wow" your guests.

What You'll Need

1 pound green beans, trimmed
4 thick bacon slices, cut into -inch pieces
4 ounces Roquefort cheese, crumbled
1 cup walnuts, toasted (see note)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

What to Do

Add water to a large saucepan to a depth of 1 inch; set a large vegetable steamer in pan. Bring water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add green beans to steamer. Steam green beans, covered, 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Rinse with cold water, and drain. Set aside.
Cook bacon pieces in a large skillet over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes or until crisp; remove bacon with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in skillet.
Saut green beans in hot drippings in skillet 2 minutes or until heated. Sprinkle with cheese, and cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds or just until cheese begins to melt. Sprinkle evenly with walnuts, salt, pepper, and bacon; serve immediately.

Notes

Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Use your sense of smell to judge when they're roasted, and watch them closely-the smaller the pieces, the more quickly they cook.