Shell Beans Dressed in Olive Oil with Fresh Thyme

Fresh shell beans abound in autumn and winter months, making an ideal side dish for rich one-pot meals such as Slow Cooked Chicken in Wine and Mushroom Sauce. The first time I bought fresh shell beans in Paris was at Marché Cours de Vincennes, where Mme. Dormoy told me how to prepare the shucked beans as she scooped handfuls of them into a bag. Like all my favorite French recipes, this one was easy and