Braised Green Beans with Tomatoes, visit to the vet

Long, long ago, in a place far, far away and in another life, mon mari was not leading a particularly healthy lifestyle.

He decided to correct that error.

He joined a health club and started working with a fitness trainer.

(Remember that I do not believe in any diet other than eating a wide variety of healthy foods in moderation. That includes all of the food groups.)

The fitness trainer suggested that he follow a specific ‘diet’.

Being a good femme I adapted my cooking style accordingly.

He was supposed to eliminate all fats and salt….. Which forced me to get somewhat creative. This recipe was a standby that summer, made without oil or salt. I added the tomatoes for moisture since I couldn’t use my other kitchen staple of chicken broth and, with no oil or butter, water seemed a bit boring.

We actually liked the dish a lot.

But it’s better with oil and butter…. and a dash of Balsamic vinegar.

Braised Green Beans with Tomatoes

Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Heat oil and butter in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and sauté until tender and transparent.

Add beans, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 10 – 15 minutes, until beans are tender and done.

Add tomatoes, cover and cook a few minutes longer.

Stir in vinegar, basil and serve.

Mon mari did not last long on that suggested diet. He did, however, keep up with the health club membership.

We took the dogs to the vet, yesterday, for their annual shots.

They were sort of well-behaved.

I had Guapa and mon marie had Bonnie.

Neither dog bit any of the other humans or tried to eat any of the other animals. They didn’t even really tug at their leashes.

They just couldn’t / wouldn’t calm down.

I’d tell them to sit and they would sit…. For about a nanosecond. It was like they were spring-loaded.

If I told them to ‘down’ the front paws immediately slide out in front of them (like good dogs) but would continue sliding across the floor to attempt to check out the cat in the cage.

I’d tell them to sit and they would – just a few inches closer to the nice human with the mama-dog.

They weren’t actually bad dogs, just squirmy, wriggly, bouncy, crying and yelping dogs that kept their respective humans very vigilant.

They were very good when we finally got to see the doctor.

He kept getting things out of a cabinet.

It was just like the cabinet we keep dog treats in.

I finally realized they were poised for chewies.

Last update on August 6, 2014