Grilled Peaches with Green Beans, Pistachios and Almonds

This simple side dish looks almost too glamorous to eat, right?! Save it for date night, or wow your family and friends with the interesting combination of sweet peaches, crunchy green beans, and nutty almonds and pistachios. For the vinaigrette, a simple blend of fresh lemon, Dijon and olive oil is all you need. I like to use my stove-top grill pan for the peaches, but you can certainly use an outdoor grill (just place the peaches on aluminum foil that's been poked with holes). You can also grill the green beans if you want. And, if you can't find ripe peaches, use thawed frozen peaches - just pat them dry before grilling.

Grilled Peaches with Green Beans, Pistachios and Almonds

Cooking spray
2-3 ripe but firm peaches, pitted and cut into wedges (about 6 wedges per peach)
1/2 pound fresh green beans
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced almonds
1/4 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped 

Coat a stove-top grill pan with cooking spray and preheat to medium-high. Add the peach wedges to the hot pan and grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and flesh softens.
Meanwhile, blanch the green beans in a pot of salted boiling water for 3 minutes, until crisp-tender. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
In a blender, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and mustard. Process until blended. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the vinaigrette to the warm green beans and toss to coat.
Transfer the green beans to a serving plate and top with the grilled peach wedges, almonds and pistachios. Serve warm.

Serves 4


Photo: Apolonia