Active Time

　　45 minutes

　　Total Time

　　45 minutes

　　Green beans have a certain suave, slender elegance that makes them a classic accompaniment to rosy-red roast beef. But too often, they get short shrift: a quick drizzle of butter, a squirt of lemon, and onto the table they go. We suggest you coddle them a little this year. Try tossing them in a hot skillet with shallots and pecans that get caramelized in buttery brown sugar, and you'll see just how special green beans can be.

　　Editor's Note: This recipe is part of Gourmet's Modern Menu for A Christmas Classic. Menu also includes Herb-Crusted Beef Rib Roast with Potatoes, Carrots, and Pinot Noir Jus and Tiramisu Yule Log .

　　

Ingredients

Makes 10 servings

　　1/2 cup pecan halves and pieces (2 ounces)

　　2 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed

　　5 tablespoons unsalted butter

　　1/3 cup shallot, finely chopped (about 2 medium)

　　3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

　　1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

　　1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

　　

Step 1

Heat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

　　

Step 2

Spread out pecans on a rimmed sheet pan and bake in oven until pale golden on inside, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cool and coarsely chop.

　　

Step 3

Have ready a colander submerged in a large bowl of ice water. Cook beans in a 6- to 8-quart pot of well-salted boiling water, uncovered, until just tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Using a large slotted spoon and/or tongs, transfer beans to colander in ice water to stop cooking, then drain well and dry on towels.

　　

Step 4

Heat butter in a 12- to 14-inch deep heavy skillet (preferably straight-sided) over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then add shallot and cook, stirring until pale golden, 2 to 3 minutes.

　　

Step 5

Reduce heat to medium and stir in sugar until almost dissolved, then cook pecans, stirring, 1 minute.

　　

Step 6

Add green beans, kosher salt, and pepper, and sauté beans, turning them with tongs, until heated through, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a platter and serve.

　　Cooks' notes:

　　•Beans can be trimmed 1 day ahead and kept chilled in a sealable plastic bag.

　　Nuts can be lightly toasted 1 day ahead and kept chilled, covered.