Green Beans with Sweet Onion and Pine Nuts

1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted

1 teaspoon paprika
1 pound fresh green or white string beans, trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large sweet onion, diced or grated
1 large garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Juice and rind ½ lemon
1 tablespoon Italian parsley, roughly chopped

Directions:

1. In a small dry skillet, toast the pine nuts for about a minute until golden. Add the paprika and set aside.

2. Trim the green beans and place in a pan of salted boiling water. Cook about 5 minutes or until tender but firm.   Drain in a colander.

3. Heat the olive oil, add the onion, and sauté about 5-10 minutes until soft and just beginning to golden.  Add the garlic, and sauté about a 1 minute.

4. Add the drained beans to the skilled and warm for 1-2 minutes tossing with the onions and garlic. Season to taste.  Add the lemon juice and rind and stir again.  Plate the greens beans and top with fresh parsley and the toasted pine nut.  Serve warm.

This recipe can be made with asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, or any vegetable you like. The sauté onion, garlic and toasted pine nuts, will still the show on any vegetable.