How to French Cut Green Beans - Tip of the Day

by Sarah LeTrent, Posted Nov 16th 2009 @ 9:00AM

Leave the green beans out of the casserole with a sophisticated cut on fall's favorite legume.

The Green Giant may not be happy when you decide to ditch the can, but fresh, crisp green beans make all the difference in that Thanksgiving spread.

If a recipe calls for "French cut" green beans, it simply means the beans are split in half lengthwise.

The home cook can achieve this cut a variety of ways. If you don't have a green bean Frencher, carefully run a paring knife between the seams of the bean so the seeds end up exposed and facing outward.

Another way that's a bit of a shortcut and finger-saver for those with less-than-stellar knife skills, is to slice the green bean at a 45-degree angle into thin ribbons. Perhaps not a true "French cut," it still achieves a similar effect.

Filed Under: Tip of the Day
Tags: fall, french cut green beans, green bean casserole, green beans, thanksgiving, thanksgiving recipes, tip of the day, vegetables