Mixed Bean Symphony

Went to the Farmer's Market in Carrboro today and picked up some beans and okra (along with some beautiful dahlias and lemon basil).

2 medium Tomatoes
1/2 lb. of Yellow Wax Beans (ends trimmed and beans halved crosswise)
1/2 lb. of slim Green Beans (ditto)
5-10 pieces of whole Okra (ends trimmed and cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces)
2 to 3 tbs. of Olive Oil
2 cloves of Garlic, minced
Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
Glug of White Wine
Salt and Pepper
Juice of one Lemon

Bring a medium-large pot of salted water to boil. Carefully lower the two tomatoes in with a slotted spoon and cook for one minute. Leave the water boiling while you drop them into a bath of ice water, peel them and then set them aside.

Meanwhile, lower the wax beans in the water for 2 to 3 minutes, until lightly cooked but still firm. Remove them from the boiling water with a large slotted spoon or tongs and plunge them in the ice bath to stop cooking them. Drain them in a colander and then spread them out on a kitchen towel to dry.

Repeat this process with the slim green beans, but only cook them for one minute.

Heat the olive oil to medium-high then add the minced garlic and stir it around with a wooden spoon until lightly cooked but not brown, one minute or so. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, and then the two peeled tomatoes that you have set aside. Break them up into chunks with your spoon, and simmer this into sauciness for about 5 minutes. Add a glug of white wine, and simmer for one more minute.

Dump the okra and drained and dried beans into the tomato sauce, and mix it around until combined and heated through. Salt and pepper to taste. Put the salad in a serving bowl and squeeze the lemon juice all over it, tossing it lightly.

Yum.