And finally. The Greenery. We must have contrast. But listen closely. The era... of the grey, boiled vegetable... is over! We are cooking Green Beans. And they shall remain... Green. The water must be boiling. Furiously. Salt it heavily. Drop the beans in. Do not cover the pot! If you cover the pot... the acids are trapped. And the beans turn olive-drab. We want emerald. We want vibrancy. Three minutes. No more. The Shock. Prepare a bowl of ice water. Drain the beans. And plunge them... immediately... into the cold. Listen to them. They stop cooking. They lock in the colour. This is the secret of the high table. When you are ready to serve. Drain them again. Return them to a warm pan. A sliver of butter. A grating of lemon zest. Toss them. Coat them. They should squeak... when you bite them. Plate them alongside the steak. Not touching the gravy. We want discipline on the plate. Crunchy. Bright. Moral. The meal is complete. Bon Appétit. And... Carry on.
