How to Jazz up French Beans: Add a White Peach

This has to be a most unique French beans recipe you'll ever try. French green beans tossed with toasted almonds and basil say bonjour to a sliced white peach. Brings a summer salad or vegetable side dish to new heights.

Unique French Beans Recipe: Salad with Peach

The inspiration for this surprising twist comes from the legendary Parisian chef Alain Passard, a true culinary visionary. His Michelin-starred restaurant l'Arpège, located on rue de Varenne - just off the famed Parisian pastry street rue du Bac - has been dazzling taste buds for decades.

In 2001, Passard took a bold step, pioneering a vegetarian menu that showcased the incredible potential of fresh, seasonal produce.

Inspired by the Parisian Michelin Starred Vegetarian Restaurant

Imagine a tasting experience where every bite transports you to a vibrant vegetable garden, bursting with flavour. That sounds corny, but it's sincere. That's the magic Passard creates at l'Arpège.

A few years ago, a seemingly simple dish featuring spinach and orange shattered my preconceived notions of flavour. It was just one of the revelations, a testament to the power of simplicity and unexpected combinations of both fruit and vegetables.

It was such 'food for the Gods', I cried with emotion - and think Antoine did too when the bill came! To give you an idea, Passard's gardeners' seasonal lunch menu this summer 2024 comes in 6 dishes at 185 euros; so give the meal the time it deserves and take the afternoon off! I was so thrilled to meet the chef himself - presenting his legendary floral invention of apple roses for an extra birthday dessert. Again inspired, see this recipe for apple rose tarte tatins.

Jazzing up French Beans

This French green bean salad captures that playful spirit. The key ingredient is the white peach, rather than more robust yellow peaches and nectarines.

Its delicate sweetness perfectly complements the savoury elements. I was feeling bold and added the shallot and garlic, like for these sautéed green beans with garlic. It definitely works but it's also great without, if you prefer.

You can enjoy this dish warm or cold, making it a fantastic summer side dish or salad for picnics, BBQs or grilled meats.

For more on how to cook them plus more French bean recipes,
see the guide to green beans.

Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach

Jill Colonna

How to jazz up your French beans - add a sliced white peach to flavour a classic green bean salad tossed in olive oil, toasted almonds and basil. With inspiration from Michelin starred chef, Alain Passard in Paris.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine French

Servings 3 people

Calories 554 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 600 g (18oz) green beans extra thin
• 1 shallot finely chopped
• 1 white peach sliced finely
• 1 tablespoon almonds blanched, unsalted
• 20 fresh basil leaves finely chopped or torn
• 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
• ¼ teaspoon salt (fleur de sel) or Maldon flakes, Celtic sea salt

Instructions

 

• Top and tail the green beans and plunge them into simmering unsalted water. Cook for about 5-10 minutes (depending on their size) until al dente, still with a bite to them.

  At the last minute, add a pinch of bicarbonate of soda to keep their green colour and texture.
• Immediately drain them in a colander to cool. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a frying pan and sauté the chopped shallot for about 5 minutes until golden then add the almonds to toast slightly for a further 2 minutes then toss in the green beans.
• Take off the heat, add the basil, salt and a few turns of the peppermill then transfer to a warmed or cold dish (depending if a vegetable side or a cold salad). Top with the finely sliced white peach and serve.

Notes

Nutrition Facts per % daily value: 49% total fat, 67% dietary fibre, 16% total carbohydrate, 55% potassium, 138% iron, 98% calcium.