Skillet Green Beans in Orange Essence with Maple Toasted Pecans

Ingredients

• 2 ounces pecans coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 18 teaspoon salt
• 2 each shallots minced
• 3/4 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper to taste
• we like a large sprinkle
• 2 teaspoons flour
• all-purpose
• 1 1/2 pounds green beans trimmed
• 1 teaspoon sage leaves minced
• 23 cup chicken broth
• 1 x salt to taste
• 1 x black pepper freshly ground to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare all ingredients and have them ready before starting to cook.
2. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium high heat.
3. Dry roast the pecans in the skillet, stirring frequently until they start to become fragrant, about 3 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter, the maple syrup and 18 teaspoon of salt.
5. Place skillet back on the heat and stir constantly until the nuts are dry, about 60 seconds.
6. Reduce heat to medium, remove pecans to a plate and wipe out the skillet.
7. Place the skillet back on the heat and add the remaining butter.
8. When melted add the shallots, orange zest and cayenne pepper to taste.
9. Cook shallots until beginning to soften about 2 or 3 minutes.
10. Add the flour and stir, add the green beans and toss.
11. Add the chicken stock, orange juice and minced sage; stir/toss together and increase the heat to medium-high.
12. Cover and cook until the beans are just beginning to soften but are still crisp on the inside, about 5 minutes.
13. Reduce heat to medium.
14. Uncover and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and the beans are cooked to tender crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes.
15. Remove from heat, taste and adjust seasoning (salt and black pepper).
16. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with the pecans.
17. Serve to rave reviews.