La Cocotte Verte

Haricots verts — delicate, supermodel-thin French green beans — bear little resemblance to their sturdier American cousins. Sweeter, crisper, and more tender, they need only a few minutes cooking to bring them to perfection. Here they’re joined with woodsy wild mushrooms, sauteed shallots, and a splash of Madeira, creating a dish of balanced richness and lightness: deep savory mushroom-shallot flavors and chewiness complementing the beans’ crisp-tender crunch and delicate vegetal taste.

Gamey red meat like duck pairs beautifully with a cherry sauce — the slight acidity of the fruit cuts through the richness of the meat. Red wine and shallots cooked until soft and sweet round out the sauce.

This is a simple and elegant first course that always impresses. The key to recipes that use only a few ingredients such as this is to use THE BEST of everything. So, for this recipe, use fresh wild salmon, fresh herbs, good wine and quality butter.