Italian-style green beans and lace-chewing mini goats
Castaño, our most misbehaved horse, still attends the School for Exceedingly Naughty Horses a couple of times a week and Léo has taken to accompanying us. I’m not sure whether he comes because he’s looking for general naughtiness tips, or whether he’s fallen for the stable’s miniature goat. I suspect it’s the latter; my family and I have an immoderate fascination for mischievous animals and this little she-goat fits the bill very nicely. They spend an hour climbing trees, inspecting muddy ditches, making the horses spook and charging each other with imaginary horns. She invariably takes pleasure in undoing Léo’s shoe laces with her teeth and chewing them to bits. Is ‘chewing the lace’ a goat variation on ‘chewing the cud’ I wasn’t aware of? Anyway, as I appear to lack the foresight to buy several replacement pairs at once, I’ve spent much of the past month on a quest for flourescent green laces. Never let it be said that I don’t live life on the edge.
This dish makes a wonderful accompaniment to fish or meat, or it may be served as a light lunch or supper with a poached egg on top.
Ingredients (serves 6)
1kg green beans
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped
1 red pepper, sliced
1 tomato, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
handful of pine nuts
12 black olives
6 anchovies
Sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika, piment d’Espelette or chilli powder
10g Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Precook the beans until ‘al dente’, strain and set aside. Gently heat the olive oil in a large frying pan adding the onions and cooking for a few minutes. Add the sliced red pepper, tomato and garlic and continue to cook until the red pepper and tomato soften. Add the green beans, pine nuts, olives, anchovies and seasoning, gently combining and cook for a few more minutes.
23 Comments
annelifaiers
I love the colours and combination of delicious things here! To be fair – you had me at anchovies… xx
The Healthy Epicurean
Thanks Anneli – you’re another big fan of anchovies aren’t you?
apuginthekitchen
I look forward to each of your posts, especially when you talk about the animal antics on your farm. I have never met your animals but I love them, I have an affinity for naughty animals. The horses and now that little goat sound wonderfully entertaining.
The green beans are fantastic very similar to the green beans my Mom made when I was a child,
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you – I’m flattered that you think they look similar to the real thing! This goat is so sweet and Léo’s taken such a shining to her that the lady that runs the equestrian centre has said that if she gets too naughty for them, Léo can have her! My husband will be so pleased 😉
apuginthekitchen
Goats, especially little or baby goats are just too cute. I can see why Leo has fallen in love with her. Little goats can be naughty or mischevious in the cutest way!!
The Healthy Epicurean
I know – I’m kind of hoping that her naughtiness will overcome them and we’ll inherit her 🙂
easytocookmealsblog
Hi, I saw your comment in The missing Lokness blog and I though I will invite you. I am hosting a Cunning Ladies’ Friday party and I would love to see this post in the party. Please join us. http://easytocookmeals.com/cunning-ladies-friday-party/
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you for visiting. It looks like I missed your Friday night party. Thank you for the invitation though. 🙂
andreamynard
Your beans look wonderful – and the goats sound very cute, especially when I’m not the one dealing with their naughtiness.
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you! The goat is such a cutie – she might well end up here yet 😉
chef mimi
I make something very similar, but never thought about serving it with an egg! Brilliant!
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you! I think it’s so delicious with an egg on top – I particularly love the combination of egg and anchovy. Bon weekend!
Mary Frances
I love hearing about your animals. They sound like an endless source of entertainment!
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you so much and yes, they are – there’s never a dull moment!
Stacey Bender
Yes, you do live life on the edge. Perhaps it is the color green the goat likes. The beans look yummy but I do have basket envy. I love your French basket that house onion/garlic.
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you – that basket was a good find – it cost about 3 Euros in our local supermarket!
Stacey Bender
Well, that was a good find. I can’t help but notice Hugo is doing the down dog in your header; too cute. Do you paint those scenes yourself? Love them.
The Healthy Epicurean
Hugo is often to be found in the downward dog position (funnily enough, I talk about it in my next post!). I’m no painter/illustrator unfortunately though – my father does them…
Stacey Bender
Ginger is often found that way too, as we spoke about last time. Your Father is very talented. I love the water colors; they really capture a mood. Cheeses to him.
Lokness
Haha… your funny little goats!
I am always looking for new ideas to cook green beans. This looks like a very easy and healthy side dish. I will be making this soon! Thank you!
The Healthy Epicurean
You are welcome. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Sally
My kind of meal. If only my family would eat anchovies. Everything is improved with an egg on top 🙂
The Healthy Epicurean
So true: an egg and a couple of anchovies can tart up the plainest meal!