GREEN BEANS WITH BRAZIL NUTS AND BASIL

Steps:

• Bring a generous amount of water (about 8 cups) to a boil. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and the green beans and cook until tender but still crisp, 3 to 6 minutes. Drain the green beans, then run them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
• Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat, then add the shallot and a pinch of salt and sauté until translucent, about 1 minute. Stir in the beans, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add several grinds of pepper, a spritz of the lemon juice, and the nuts. Toss with the basil and lemon zest before serving.
• variation
• If you don't have Brazil nuts, Maple-Glazed Walnuts (page 141) make a great substitute.
• storage
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 days.
• nutrition information
• (per serving)
• Calories: 320
• Total Fat: 8.3g (1.1g saturated, 4.1g monounsaturated)
• Carbohydrates: 47g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 12g
• Sodium: 110mg
• CULINARY RX
• Nuts may suppress the growth of cancers because they contain the antioxidants quercetin and kaempferol. Brazil nuts have especially powerful anticancer properties, as each one contains 80 micrograms of selenium, a trace mineral that may fight prostate cancer.