Green Beans with Mushrooms and Shallots

Is your family tired of "ordinary" green beans?  Then maybe you'll give this recipe or my Green Beans with lemon recipes a chance to add some sparkle to your meals.  A perfect accompaniment to how I cook, you can use this recipe to add a delicious change of pace to your ordinary meal plans.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound or so of fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 2-4 Tablespoons of olive oil (use plain "Olive Oil", not the "Extra Virgin" kind)
• 1/3 cup sliced shallots (about 2 medium)
• 3/4-1 pound of fresh, sliced mushrooms of most any kind:  button, baby bella, shiitake, oyster, chanterelle)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Directions:

Use enough water to cover the beans.  Heat the water on high until it boils, add the beans.  Allow the water & beans to come to a full boil, then turn down to a light boil (simmer) and blanch the beans for 4-5 minutes (depending on how "done" you like them).

While the beans are cooking, heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large, preferably cast-iron skillet.  Add the shallots and cook, stirring, until softened slightly, about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until the water they release has evaporated and the fat starts to "sparkle", and they begin to brown--about 10 minutes or so.

Add the green beans, stir to combine and warm through.  Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Enjoy!