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Green beans with basil pesto dressing

Name: Green beans with basil pesto dressing
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 750g thin green beans, trimmed; 1/2 cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil; 1-1 1/2 tbs white wine vinegar; Pine nuts, toasted, to serve; 100g basil leaves; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 25g pine nuts,; 75g parmesan, finely grated

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by Belinda Jeffery

Cook and author

Oct 03, 2015

Bright green beans with basil pesto dressing are an entertaining side staple.

750g thin green beans, trimmed
1/2 cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil
1-1 1/2 tbs white wine vinegar
Pine nuts, toasted, to serve

Basil pesto

100g basil leaves
2 garlic cloves, crushed
25g pine nuts,
1/2 cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil
75g parmesan, finely grated

Method

1.

For pesto, whiz basil, garlic, pine nuts, oil and a little salt in a blender on high speed to form a paste, then place in a bowl and stir in cheese. Transfer to a jar and cover surface with a little more oil, then seal.
2.

Cook beans in a pan of boiling salted water for 2 minutes until tender but still bright green. Drain, then refresh in cold water. Wrap beans in a tea towel to dry.
3.

Just before serving, whisk oil, vinegar, 2 heaped tablespoons of pesto and sea salt to taste in a large bowl. Toss beans in the dressing, then serve in a shallow bowl or on a platter, sprinkled with the pine nuts.