The most important thing to understand when cooking green beans is that they need actually cooking for their full flavors to develop. Uncooked or undercooked green beans were one of Julia Child's pet peeves. Your teeth should go through a bean with just a tiny bit of resistance. If it is crunchy or bitter, it hasn't been cooked long enough.
It's green bean season and as you would expect, the best of the harvest is available at our farmers markets. Don't miss Middleton Farm's Spanish Musica. And don't undercook your green beans, lest you incur the wrath of Julia Child's ghost.
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Have trouble remembering what’s in season when? Looking for a favorite recipe from the Seasonal Pantry or Pairing archives? Michele Anna Jordan, Press Democrat columnist, chef, teacher and author of almost 20 books, draws from 17 years of columns and articles for seasonal suggestions, recipes and menus and tips on exactly where to get the finest local foods at their peak moment. And, yes, she takes requests. Just name the dish or even a few of the ingredients and, like magic, you’ll find the recipe here in no time. Any questions related to ingredients, cooking, nutrition and eating are welcome.