I've always admired the French--their lifestyle, art and cuisine. Most certainly I am appreciative of the myriad, stylish ways they knot their scarves! I also am a fan of their green beans, "haricots verts", essentially a long and slender version of your basic green bean. Anyone with decent soil and full sun can grow haricots vert, but I always associate the bean with the French: So slender and chic, with no strings attached!

A dinner based simply on green beans is what I'm craving tonight. I've a weekend of Super Bowl meatballs, chicken wings and stuffed potato skins ahead so appreciate a somewhat refined dinner centered around a vegetable-- the perfect antidote to game day snacking!

I was delighted to find 1 pound packages of haricots verts in the produce section of Meijers. (They were grown in Florida so the carbon footprint, at least, does not spread across the Atlantic.)

I find fresh, whole green beans cook better in boiling water than when steamed, the boiling water cooks them evenly and they remain crisp. I shock my beans in icy cold water so they retain their vibrant green color.

Yield: 4 side dish servings (2 main course) Cost: apx. $7.00 Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 teaspoon minced shallot 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar 1 pound green beans or haricots verts, ends snapped if necessary 1 1/2 tablespoons walnut or extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons fresh tarragon or 1/2 teaspoon dry 2 ounces goat cheese crumbled 1/3 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted

Directions

1. Macerate (soak) shallot in vinegar 15 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil green beans 2-5 minutes, depending on thickness of green, or until crisp tender. Drain and shock with ice water. 2. Whisk oil into vinegar mixture and add tarragon. Toss green beans with vinaigrette. (If you'd prefer a warm salad, reheat dressed green beans in a large skillet at this point before tossing with goat cheese.) 3. Toss with goat cheese and season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Garnish with toasted walnuts or pecans and serve.