Green Beans and Red Peppers with Almonds

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 3 red bell peppers (about 2 pounds)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/4 pounds green beans or haricots verts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a baking pan, toast almonds in one layer in middle of oven 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly colored. Cut bell peppers into 2-inch-long strips.

In a 12-inch heavy skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook half of peppers, stirring frequently, until crisp-tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer cooked peppers to a serving bowl. Cook remaining peppers in remaining tablespoon oil in same manner and transfer to bowl.

In a 4-quart kettle half filled with boiling salted water, cook beans until crisp-tender, about 6 minutes for green beans or about 3 minutes for haricots. Drain beans in colander and transfer to bowl. Toss vegetables with almonds and salt and pepper, to taste.

Wine Suggestions: Kendall Jackson Chardonnay Hahn Estates or Glass Mountain Merlot Rosemount Shiraz