Green Beans with Sautéed Celery

Total time: 20 minutes
  Green beans, cooked quickly, then tossed with sautéed celery and a bit of ham or bacon for flavor, something a little different from our summer bounty. Blanching them first helps retain their bright color.

 Ingredients:

• 6oz (180gr) green beans
• 1oz (30gr) bacon or Prosciutto  1 slice
• 1 - 2 ribs celery, (about 1/2 cup sliced)
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 1/2 tbs white balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar     substitute honey
• 1/4 tsp dry mustard
• 2 tbs snipped fresh chives

 Instructions:

• Top and tail beans... cut off the ends.  Cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths (4cm). 
• Heat a medium saucepan half full of water to boiling. 
• Add the beans and cook for 4 minutes. 
• Remove and plunge into cold water to cool and preserve color.  Drain. 
• Chop bacon or Prosciutto. 
• Thinly slice celery. 
• Heat oil in a small skillet. 
• Add bacon or Prosciutto and sauté briefly. 
• Add celery and sauté about 5 minutes.  
• Add remaining ingredients to pan and heat through, stirring to dissolve mustard and sugar. 
• Add beans, heat through and serve.