Mushrooms & Green Beans

2 lbs green beans, trimmed

2 tbls margarine or butter

2 packages (10 ozs each) mushrooms sliced

2 large shallots, minced

1 Tbls all purpose flour

¼ tsp coarsely ground black pepper

¾ cup half-and-half or light cream

In 12 inch skillet, heat 1 inch water and ½ tsp salt to boiling over high heat. Add green beans; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, 5 to 10 minutes, until beans are tender-crisp. Drain and rinse beans with cold running water to stop cooking; drain well. Wipe skillet dry.

In same skillet, melt margarine over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and shallots; cook until browned, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add flour, pepper, and ½ tsp salt, and cook 1 minute longer, stirring. Reduce heat to low; stir in green beans and half-and half- and heat through. Makes 10 accompaniment servings.